Aman Sehrawat to compete for bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics; Anshu Malik eliminated in opening round

Aman Sehrawat, a rising star in Indian wrestling, is set to contend for the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Sehrawat’s impressive journey hit a snag when he faced Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the semi-finals, suffering a decisive 10-0 loss. Meanwhile, Anshu Malik, who was aiming for a strong showing in the women’s 57kg category, was eliminated in the opening round.

Aman Sehrawat’s Path to the Medal Match

Aman Sehrawat’s route to the bronze medal match has been marked by notable victories. In the round of 16, Sehrawat demonstrated his technical prowess by defeating North Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov with a commanding 10-0 score. Egorov, a seasoned wrestler and former European champion, was no easy opponent.

Sehrawat’s quarter-final performance was even more impressive. He faced Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakarov, the 2022 World Champion and fourth seed, and secured a 12-0 win. This victory highlighted Sehrawat’s exceptional skill and strategic acumen on the mat.

However, the semi-final clash with Japan’s Rei Higuchi proved challenging. Higuchi, a former World Champion and silver medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympics, has been a dominant force in the 57kg weight class. Despite his valiant efforts, Sehrawat could not overcome Higuchi, who showcased a formidable performance, ultimately winning 10-0.

Sehrawat will now face Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz in the bronze medal match. Cruz, a Pan American Games medallist, had his quarter-final bout against Rei Higuchi cut short after Higuchi received a walkover from his first-round opponent, Alireza Sarlak of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who failed to make weight.

Anshu Malik’s Early Exit

Anshu Malik’s campaign in the women’s 57kg category was cut short in the round of 16. Malik, competing in her second Olympics, was up against Helen Maroulis from the United States. Maroulis, a three-time World Champion and Olympic gold medallist from Rio 2016 in the 53kg category, defeated Malik with a 7-2 scoreline. This loss was a setback for Malik, who had previously faced Maroulis in the final of the 2021 World Championships, settling for silver.

Maroulis’ loss to Japan’s Tsugumi Sakurai in the semi-finals further dashed Malik’s hopes for a bronze through repechage. Sakurai, a three-time World Champion, proved too strong for Maroulis, ending any remaining chances for Malik to advance.

The Broader Context: Indian Wrestling at Paris 2024

India’s wrestling team at the Paris 2024 Olympics includes six athletes, each with their own journey. Nisha Dahiya, competing in the women’s 68kg category, was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Vinesh Phogat reached the final in the women’s 50kg division but faced disqualification after failing the weigh-in. Reetika Hooda, representing India in the women’s 76kg category, will begin her campaign on Saturday.

The Indian wrestling team has had mixed fortunes at this Olympics. With a blend of seasoned wrestlers and emerging talent, the team has demonstrated both promise and challenges. Notably, Ravi Dahiya had won silver in the men’s 57kg category at Tokyo 2020. Sehrawat’s qualification over Dahiya for Paris 2024 adds an interesting layer to the current competition, as the Indian wrestling scene continues to evolve and adapt.