Paris 2024 wrestling shocker: Aman Sehrawat grabs bronze and becomes India’s youngest Olympic hero

In a landmark achievement for Indian wrestling, Aman Sehrawat won the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57kg category at Paris 2024 wrestling. At just 21 years and 24 days old, Sehrawat has set a new record as India’s youngest Olympic medallist, surpassing the previous record held by PV Sindhu, who was 21 years and 14 days old when she won silver at the Rio 2016 Games.

Sehrawat’s Historic Victory in Paris 2024 Wrestling

Sehrawat’s performance at Paris 2024 wrestling was nothing short of spectacular. On his Olympic debut, the Asian champion faced Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz, a Pan American Games bronze medallist. Sehrawat dominated the bout with a decisive 13-5 victory. This win not only marked India’s first wrestling medal at Paris 2024 but also its sixth medal overall at the Games.

India’s wrestling success at the Paris Olympics builds on a strong tradition of achievement in the sport. The country’s last Olympic wrestling medal was secured by Ravi Kumar Dahiya, who won silver in the same weight class at Tokyo 2020. Sehrawat’s win underscores India’s growing prowess in wrestling, which has been a key area of success at the Olympics.

Record-Breaking Performance at Paris 2024 Wrestling

Aman Sehrawat’s achievement is remarkable for several reasons. Not only did he become the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal, but he also showed resilience and skill throughout the Paris 2024 wrestling competition. In the bronze medal match, Cruz initially took the lead by attacking Sehrawat’s leg and pushing him out of bounds. However, Sehrawat quickly equalised with a takedown and took control of the match, leading 6-3 at the break. He maintained his lead with swift and strategic movements after the break, converting defensive plays into offensive points to secure the bronze.

India’s Wrestling Legacy and Paris 2024 Success

This bronze medal adds to India’s impressive Olympic wrestling record. Historically, Indian wrestlers have performed well on the global stage, with notable achievements including silver medals won by Sushil Kumar at London 2012 and Ravi Kumar Dahiya at Tokyo 2020. Sehrawat’s victory at Paris 2024 wrestling contributes to India’s eighth Olympic medal in the sport, with the previous six being bronze medals.

In addition to Sehrawat’s success, the Paris 2024 Olympics has been a mixed bag for Indian wrestlers. While Sehrawat excelled, other Indian wrestlers faced challenges. Nisha Dahiya was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the women’s 68kg event, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for a failed weigh-in in the women’s 50kg category, and Antim Panghal and Anshu Malik were knocked out in the opening rounds of the women’s 53kg and 57kg events, respectively. Reetika Hooda is set to start her campaign in the women’s 76kg division on Saturday.

India’s Overall Olympic Performance at Paris 2024

With Aman Sehrawat’s bronze, the Paris 2024 Olympics has become India’s second-most successful Games in terms of medal count. India previously won six medals (two silvers and four bronzes) at London 2012 and seven medals (one gold, two silvers, and four bronzes) at Tokyo 2020. The strong performance in wrestling continues a trend of notable achievements for India in the sport, contributing to the nation’s growing Olympic success.

Aman Sehrawat’s historic bronze medal at Paris 2024 wrestling not only highlights his individual talent but also reflects India’s emerging dominance in Olympic wrestling. His achievement marks a new chapter in Indian sports history and serves as an inspiration for future athletes.