Aman Sehrawat, India’s youngest Olympic wrestling medalist, has captured the nation’s heart with his resilience, skill, and inspiring backstory. At just 21, he clinched a bronze medal in the 57kg freestyle wrestling category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making him the seventh Indian wrestler to achieve this feat.
But his journey wasn’t easy—orphaned at 11, battling depression, and overcoming extreme weight cuts before his Olympic bout, Aman’s story is one of sheer determination. This blog explores his early life, wrestling career, Olympic triumph, and future ambitions, along with exclusive insights from his matches and personal struggles.
1. Early Life & Tragic Beginnings
Born on July 16, 2003, in Birohar, Haryana, Aman Sehrawat grew up in a humble farming family. Inspired by Sushil Kumar’s 2012 Olympic silver medal, he joined Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium at just 10 years old.
Personal Tragedy Strikes
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Lost his mother to depression at age 10.
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His father passed away a year later, leaving him and his younger sister orphaned.
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Raised by his uncle Sudhir Sehrawat and grandfather Mangeram, who became his pillars of support 412.
2. Wrestling Career & Rise to Fame
Aman’s wrestling journey took off under coach Lalit Kumar. His breakthrough came in 2021 when he won his first National Championship.
Key Achievements Before Olympics:
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2022 U23 World Champion (First Indian to achieve this)
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2023 Asian Wrestling Championships Gold (Astana, Kazakhstan)
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2022 Asian Games Bronze (Hangzhou)
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2024 Zagreb Open Gold (Defeated all opponents via technical superiority) 612.
3. Road to Paris 2024 Olympics
Aman secured India’s only male wrestling quota for Paris 2024 by defeating Ravi Dahiya’s replacement in the qualifiers. His Olympic journey included:
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Round of 16: Crushed Vladimir Egorov (Macedonia) 10-0 (Technical Superiority).
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Quarterfinals: Dominated Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania) 12-0.
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Semifinals: Lost to Rei Higuchi (Japan) 0-10, a former Olympic silver medalist 46.
4. Historic Bronze Medal & Weight-Cutting Struggle
After his semifinal loss, Aman faced a grueling 10-hour weight cut to make the 57kg limit for the bronze bout.
The Extreme Weight Loss Routine:
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1.5-hour wrestling session
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1-hour hot bath & sauna
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5 rounds of 5-minute sauna sessions
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Non-stop treadmill running
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Finally weighed in at 56.9kg, just under the limit 1016.
In the bronze medal match, he defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz 13-5, becoming India’s youngest Olympic wrestling medalist at 21 1216.
5. Aman’s Wrestling Style & Strengths
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Aggressive takedowns & quick transitions
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Strong defensive counters
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Exceptional stamina & mental toughness
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Known for technical superiority wins (multiple 10-0 victories) 6.
6. Awards & Recognition
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Arjuna Award (2025)
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TOI Sports Awards – Wrestler of the Year
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Ranked World No. 2 in 57kg (August 2024) 617.
7. Future Goals: 2026 Asian Games & 2028 Olympics
Aman has already set his sights on:
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2026 Asian Games (Gold Target)
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2028 Los Angeles Olympics (Upgrading to Gold) 17.
8. FAQs About Aman Sehrawat
Q1. How old is Aman Sehrawat?
He is 21 (born July 16, 2003).
Q2. What is Aman Sehrawat’s weight class?
He competes in men’s freestyle 57kg.
Q3. Who is Aman Sehrawat’s coach?
Lalit Kumar (Chhatrasal Stadium).
Q4. How did Aman lose weight before his Olympic bronze bout?
Through intense workouts, sauna sessions, and zero sleep in 10 hours 1016.
Conclusion
Aman Sehrawat’s journey—from an orphaned boy in Haryana to an Olympic medalist—is a testament to hard work, resilience, and unwavering spirit. As he prepares for 2026 and 2028, India eagerly awaits more historic moments from this wrestling prodigy.
