Aman Sehrawat, a 21-year-old freestyle wrestler from Haryana, India, has become a source of inspiration and national pride after winning a bronze medal in the men's 57kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement marks him as the youngest Indian to win an individual Olympic medal. For Sehrawat, the medal represents more than just personal success; it's a testament to his unwavering dedication and a feeling that he has contributed something significant to his country.
Sehrawat's journey to the Olympic podium has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. Born on July 16, 2003, in Birohar, Haryana, he faced immense personal challenges early in life, losing both his parents at a young age. Despite these hardships, he found solace and purpose in wrestling, a sport he began training in under the guidance of coach Lalit Kumar.
His dedication quickly translated into success. Sehrawat's early career highlights include a bronze medal at the 2018 World Cadets Championship and a gold medal at the 2019 Asian Cadet Championships. In 2021, he won his first National Championship title, followed by a gold medal at the Under-23 World Championships in 2022, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games. In April 2023, he won a gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Astana. In January 2024, he won gold at the Zagreb Open wrestling tournament.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sehrawat demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. He earned his Olympic spot by outperforming his idol, Ravi Dahiya. In his Olympic debut, he dominated his first two matches, defeating Vladimir Egorov and Zelimkhan Abakarov by technical superiority. Although he lost to top-seed Rei Higuchi in the semi-final, he rebounded to win the bronze medal match against Darian Cruz with a score of 13-5.
Sehrawat's mental fortitude was evident throughout the competition. Despite the pressure of being the only Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Paris Games and the expectation of continuing India's streak of winning wrestling medals at the Olympics since 2008, he remained focused. He approached his bronze medal bout with a calm mindset, treating it like a state-level competition to avoid being overwhelmed by the occasion.
In an interview, Sehrawat shared that he had to cut about 3.5 kg of weight overnight before weigh-in. He also spoke about the sleepless nights he had leading up to the final bout, constantly strategizing and preparing mentally. He credited his coaches, gurus, and Sushil Kumar for advising him to stay relaxed and not overthink the magnitude of the Olympics.
Sehrawat recognizes the contributions of those who supported him, including Ravi Dahiya, who served as a mentor, and his brother Sagar, who cared for him after the loss of their parents.
Looking ahead, Sehrawat has set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2026 Asian Games. He aims to improve his performance and bring home a gold medal. His journey exemplifies resilience, hard work, and the power of sport to inspire hope and national pride.
