Paris Olympics 2024: 'Aman Sehrawat Upheld Chhatrasal Stadium's Legacy With Bronze Medal Win,' Says Coach Lalit Kumar

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Indian Wrestler Aman Sehrawat concluded his debut Olympic journey in Paris with a bronze medal in the men's 57 kg category. On Friday (August 9), Sehrawat showcased his prowess by defeating Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz 13-5, marking India's entry into the wrestling medal tally at these Olympics.

This achievement continues India's impressive streak in wrestling, maintaining a tradition of securing at least one Olympic medal since Beijing 2008.

Sehrawat's remarkable performance is a testament to the rigorous training at Delhi's renowned Chhatrasal Stadium, which has been a breeding ground for wrestling stars like Sushil Kumar, Bajrang Punia, and Ravi Kumar Dahiya.

Sehrawat's journey began on a high note, as he triumphed over Macedonia's Vladimir Egorov (10-0) and Albania's Zelimkhan Abakarov (12-0) in the early rounds. However, his path to the final was interrupted by Japan's Rei Higuchi, who defeated him 10-0 in the semi-finals. Despite this setback, Sehrawat's resilience shone through in the bronze medal match.

Coach Lalit Kumar expressed immense pride in Sehrawat's victory. "It's a great joy for me. When a student of any coach wins a medal, it brings immense happiness, just like it did for Manu Bhaker's coach, Jaspal Rana. Winning an Olympic medal is a matter of great pride. I can't express how happy I am; the hard work of all these years has paid off."

The Dronacharya awardee also highlighted the significance of Sehrawat's contribution to the Chhatrasal legacy. "Aman was under pressure to uphold the legacy of Chhatrasal. After Sushil Kumar, several wrestlers from Chhatrasal won medals, and Aman has continued that tradition. The atmosphere here is festive; the wrestlers are dancing and celebrating."

Before the bronze medal match, Lalit advised Sehrawat to focus solely on the upcoming bout. "I told him to forget about the previous match and give his all today. I mentioned that winning would bring honour to the country, Chhatrasal, and himself. It would make him recognized worldwide."

Aman Takes His Revenge From Albanian Wrestler

The Asian Games medalist Aman defeated Albania's Zelimkhan Abakanov by technical superiority, 12-0, in the men's 57kg quarterfinal at the Paris Olympics. Last year in senior World Championships Aman had been defeated by Abakanov by 11-0, so this victory avenged that loss.

Lalit also reflected on Sehrawat's tactical victory against the Albanian wrestler, who had previously defeated him. "Aman had lost to this Albanian wrestler at the World Championships using a specific technique. This time, he used that same technique to win. As a coach, we often predict such outcomes based on our observations."

Aman Sehrawat's bronze medal not only highlights his personal achievement but also reinforces the storied legacy of Indian wrestling on the Olympic stage.