Our Bureau
Paris
In a stunning display of skill and determination, 21-year-old Aman Sehrawat has made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg freestyle wrestling category. This victory not only marks him as the youngest Indian to secure an individual Olympic medal but also highlights his remarkable journey from personal tragedy to athletic triumph.
Aman, hailing from Birohar in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, faced unimaginable challenges early in life. Orphaned at the tender age of 11 after losing both parents—his mother to mental illness and his father shortly thereafter—Aman found himself in a dark place. Struggling with depression and turning to drugs for solace, he was at a crossroads until his uncle, Sudhir Sehrawat, stepped in as a pillar of support. Encouraging him to focus on wrestling, his uncle helped Aman channel his grief into the sport he loved.
Inspired by the achievements of Indian wrestling legend Sushil Kumar, Aman began his wrestling journey at the age of 10, joining the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi. His dedication soon bore fruit, as he clinched his first National Championship title in 2021. In 2022, he made headlines by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the U-23 Asian Championships, followed by a gold at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships and a bronze at the 2022 Asian Games.
The bronze medal match on August 9, 2024, took place at the iconic Champs de Mars stadium, adjacent to the Eiffel Tower. Facing off against Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz, a seasoned competitor with multiple Pan American Games medals, Aman showcased his tactical prowess. After a slow start, where Cruz initially took the lead, Aman quickly regained control, ending the first period with a score of 6-3.
In the second period, Aman continued to dominate, capitalizing on Cruz’s fatigue and securing his victory with a final score of 13-5. This win not only marked India’s sixth medal at the Paris Olympics but also made Aman the seventh Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal, joining the ranks of legends like KD Jadhav, Sushil Kumar, and Sakshi Malik.
Reflecting on his monumental achievement, Aman dedicated his medal to his late parents, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their influence on his life. “This medal is for them,” he said. “They don’t even know that I became a wrestler, that there’s something called the Olympics.” This emotional tribute underscores the significance of his victory, not just as an athletic achievement but as a personal milestone.
Aman’s success is particularly poignant for the Indian wrestling community, which faced disappointment after Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification earlier in the Games. His bronze medal serves as a much-needed boost, restoring hope and pride to a sport that has long been a source of national pride.
