On Friday, Aman Sehrawat made history by securing India's first wrestling medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 21-year-old wrestler, who became an orphan at the age of 11, defeated Puerto Rican Darian Toi Cruz with a decisive 13-5 victory in the bronze play-off held at the Champ de Mars Arena. This triumph established Sehrawat as the youngest individual Olympic medallist from India, achieving this milestone at just 21 years and 24 days old.
Aman's achievement surpasses the previous record held by PV Sindhu, who was 21 years, 1 month, and 14 days old when she won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Emotionally, Aman dedicated his bronze medal to his late parents and the nation, honoring their aspirations for him. “My parents always wanted me to be a wrestler. They didn’t know much about the Olympics, but they wanted me to pursue wrestling,” he said.
Chhatrasal's Legacy
Aman’s journey is deeply rooted in the legacy of Chhatrasal Stadium. Orphaned at a young age, he found solace and purpose in wrestling, thanks to his father’s decision to enroll him at Chhatrasal Stadium in 2013. This stadium, renowned for producing Olympic medalists such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Bajrang Punia, and Ravi Dahiya, became a nurturing second home for Aman.
Training alongside these champions left a lasting impression on Aman, particularly Sushil Kumar's work ethic. However, it was Ravi Dahiya, who like Aman had started at Chhatrasal as a young boy and later won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, with whom he felt the strongest connection.
Breakthrough Year
The year 2022 was a turning point for Aman’s career. As a teenager, he successfully transitioned to the senior circuit, securing a bronze at the Asian U20 Championship and a gold at the Asian U23 Championships. His most notable achievement came with a gold medal at the World U23 Championships, a feat that even his senior counterparts Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya had not achieved.
Starting from mastering the basics on the same sandpits and foam mats as his predecessors, Aman quickly rose through the ranks in age-group competitions. His early successes, including medals at the World Cadet and Asian Cadet levels, paved the way for his exceptional rise to the senior level.
Paris Triumph
Arriving in Paris as India’s sole male wrestler, Aman faced immense pressure but delivered an outstanding performance. Despite dealing with a bleeding nose, his relentless aggression and strategic prowess secured his place on the Olympic podium. His victory not only continued India’s tradition of winning wrestling medals at every Olympics since 2008 but also marked the country’s sixth medal at the Paris Games, bringing India closer to matching its record of seven medals from the Tokyo Olympics.
As India’s youngest Olympic medallist, Aman Sehrawat stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with hard work, dedication, and resilience, one's circumstances do not define their destiny.
