Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat achieved a significant milestone by winning the bronze medal in the men's 57 kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 21-year-old triumphed over Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz with a decisive 13-5 victory in the bronze medal match held on Friday.
In his earlier bouts, Aman displayed commendable skill, advancing through the pre-quarterfinals and quarterfinals with ease. However, he faced a tough challenge in the semi-finals against Japan's top-seeded Rei Higuchi, where he experienced a one-sided defeat.
Aman's bronze medal adds to India's tally of six medals at the Paris Olympics, which includes five bronze and one silver. In his bout against Cruz, Aman took an early lead of 6-3 in the first round and further extended his advantage in the second round, leaving Cruz with no opportunity to stage a comeback.
Notably, Aman was India's sole male wrestler at the Paris Olympics and continued the country's tradition of winning wrestling medals since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Past medalists include Sushil Kumar, who won bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012, Yogeshwar Dutt, who won bronze in 2012, Sakshi Malik, who won bronze in 2016, and Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, who won silver and bronze, respectively, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
This marked Aman's debut at the Olympics, and he successfully opened India's medal account in wrestling, bringing joy to the nation after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification. His achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work, making his country proud on the global stage.
