Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat made a remarkable debut at the Paris Olympics by clinching a bronze medal in the 57 kg freestyle wrestling event on Friday. The 21-year-old secured a convincing 13-5 victory against Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz, marking a significant achievement for India as its first wrestling medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
Aman Sehrawat’s triumph adds him to the elite list of Indian wrestlers who have won an Olympic medal, making him the seventh Indian wrestler to achieve this feat. His performance in the bronze medal bout showcased his resilience and skill on the mat.
The match began with Darian Cruz taking an early lead, as he secured a point by executing a single-leg takedown on Aman, forcing him out of the blue zone. However, Aman quickly retaliated by targeting Cruz’s shoulders, pushing him out of bounds and earning two points.
Cruz momentarily regained the lead by successfully grabbing Aman’s legs, adding two more points to his tally. But Aman, displaying great composure and technique, reclaimed the advantage by the end of the first three minutes of the bout.
In the final moments of the match, with just 37 seconds remaining, Aman further extended his lead with two more points, positioning himself on the brink of victory through technical superiority. Cruz, in a last-ditch effort, attempted to stage a comeback but instead conceded another point, sealing Aman’s 13-5 win.
Aman’s victory has been widely celebrated across India. Abhinav Bindra, India’s 2008 Olympic gold medalist in shooting, praised Aman for his determination and humility. “Congratulations Aman! Your determination on the mat, your focus, and the way you carry yourself with humility and grace—these are the qualities that make a true champion,” Bindra wrote on social media platform X. “Securing bronze in Paris is a huge achievement, but more than that, it’s a reflection of your relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations to the young wrestler. “More pride thanks to our wrestlers! Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics,” Modi wrote on X, highlighting the wrestler’s dedication and perseverance.
Aman’s bronze medal win serves as a morale booster for the Indian contingent, especially after the disappointment of female wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification in the 50 kg freestyle final due to being overweight. With Aman’s success, India has now secured a total of six medals at the Paris Games, comprising one silver and five bronze medals.
