(Image source from: PTI)
As the Paris Olympics unfolded, Aman Sehrawat, the young Indian wrestler, shone brightly in the 57kg Freestyle event. Despite a crushing 10-0 loss to Japan's Higuchi Rei earlier, Aman bounced back with a dominant performance, defeating Puerto Rico's Darien Toi Cruz in a thrilling bout that ended 13-5 in his favor. This remarkable achievement not only added to India's medal tally, which now stands at 6 (5 Bronze, 1 Silver), but also made Aman the youngest Olympic medalist for the country at the tender age of 21. The match was a display of dynamic aggression, with both wrestlers fiercely competing for every point. Cruz initially took the lead, pushing Aman out of bounds to claim the first point. However, Aman quickly regained control, using his expert technique to tackle Cruz from behind and secure two points of his own, taking a narrow 2-1 lead. The intense grappling and constant switching of positions kept the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the bout.
Sehrawat suddenly found himself on the receiving end as Cruz swiftly swept his feet, earning a couple of points. But Aman quickly regained control, knocking Cruz off balance and retaking the lead, finishing the first half with a 4-3 advantage. Sehrawat's aggressive footwork continued to trouble Cruz, allowing him to extend his lead further. However, the determined Cruz fought back, pushing Aman away and scoring two more points to keep the match close. Undeterred, Aman pushed harder each time he was taken down, reclaiming his lead and reaching a 10-5 score with just over a minute remaining. Sehrawat then dominated the final moments, effortlessly pinning down Cruz and widening the gap. After a one-sided final minute, the match concluded with Sehrawat emerging victorious by a score of 13-5, securing the Bronze medal.
Sehrawat showcased his prowess in the 57-kilogram freestyle class at the Paris Olympics. After a commanding performance, he secured a spot in the semifinals of the ongoing tournament. Aman comfortably defeated the fourth-seeded Albanian wrestler, Zelimkhan Abakarov, with a decisive 12-0 victory through technical superiority. However, Sehrawat's journey came to an abrupt end in the semifinal round, as he suffered a disappointing 0-10 defeat at the hands of the Japanese wrestler, Higuchi Rei.
