Aman Sehrawat lived up to expectations by clinching the men’s 57kg freestyle bronze medal at the Olympics on Friday. His decisive victory over Darian Toi Cruz brought a glimmer of hope to the Indian wrestling team amidst recent controversies. At just 21 years old, Aman, the U-23 world champion, stood out as the sole Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Paris Games, delivering a stellar performance with a 13-5 win in the bronze play-off at Champ de Mars Arena.
Wrestling has been a consistent source of medals for India at the Olympics since 2008, and Aman’s achievement ensured this streak remained unbroken. Following in the footsteps of legends like Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia, Aman’s bronze medal contributed to India’s sixth medal overall, edging closer to the Tokyo Games tally of seven. Despite strong efforts, wrestlers Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, and Nisha Dahiya fell short of reaching the medal rounds in their respective weight categories.
Unfortunately, Vinesh Phogat faced a setback as she was disqualified from the gold medal match due to weight issues, sparking controversy in the country. Aman’s strategic gameplay and endurance shone through in his match against Darian Toi Cruz, where he dominated with a 6-3 lead by the end of the first period, ultimately securing victory.
Aman’s journey, marked by personal loss at a young age, found solace and success at the renowned Chhatrasal stadium, a place that holds great significance for Indian wrestling. With Reetika Hooda set to compete in the 76kg category, India stands a chance to equal its medal count from the Tokyo Games if she secures a podium finish.
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