‘Overcoming My Fears Helped Win Bronze’, Aman Sehrawat Reflects On Historical Paris Olympics 2024 Campaign

New Delhi: On the morning of his wrestling bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics, 21-year-historical Aman Sehrawat faced immense drive. “All eyes back home are on me. There are human beings making an attempt at my bout in my village, the beneficial u.s. is making an attempt at me. What if I lose?” These tales weighed on him as he stepped onto the mat.

Aman’s upward thrust in Indian wrestling has been fast. In precisely two years, he went from being the us’s first U23 world champion to turning into India’s youngest Olympic medallist. His match commenced with a victory over his Chhatrasal teammate, Ravi Dahiya, securing his spot for the Olympics and maintaining India’s streak of wrestling medals by ability of the certainty 2008.

But as the day approached, Aman felt the nerves. “Bure samay nahin dekhta to shayad desh ke liye medal nahin jeet pata (If I had now not notion about those bad days, per risk I wouldn’t had been geared up to win a medal for the us),” he observed, recalling the challenges he faced after shedding every and every his moms and fathers at a youthful age. Wrestling grew to be his procedure out, and an Olympic medal, his dream. “There was no money for teaching or food routine, then another time those struggles made me stronger. I practiced day and nighttime with the notion that prevailing an Olympic medal would change my existence.”

His first Olympic bout, a victory on account of technical superiority in opposition to Vladimir Egorovy of Macedonia, set the stage. Subsequent was Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakarov, the reigning world champion who had defeated Aman 10-0 at the World Championships. “I knew I had to win this bout to carry home a medal. My procedure was handy: don’t supply him any materials early and be all set for a chronic combat.” Aman’s upset victory, 12-0, was a turning difficulty.

Within the semi-finals, he faced Japan’s Rei Higuchi then another time struggled, shedding early materials and inner the conclusion the bout. Regardless of the setback, Aman fascinated in regards to the bronze medal average and organic. Shedding three.5kg in a single day to make weight, he entered the bout with a clean attitude. “I told myself it be simply every other average and organic, and I should element of passion on my recreation.” He went on to defeat Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz Thirteen-5 to win bronze.

It was handiest upon returning home that Aman realized the importance of his achievement. “One and all was so comfortable at Chhatrasal; they were singing and dancing. I never notion an Olympic medal must carry a lot happiness.”

Aman credit his success to his Chhatrasal mentors and his roommate, Sagar, who supported him on account of rough instances. Ravi Dahiya, his teammate, furnished encouragement after his bronze win: “That is barely the start for you. Stay focused and put jointly for the future.”

Aman Sehrawat’s match is a testament to resilience, element of passion, and resolution, and his Olympic bronze is barely the start of what promises to be an inspiring profession.