Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat has etched his name in the annals of history by becoming the first male freestyle wrestler from the country to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sehrawat’s achievement came at the World Olympic Qualifier held in Istanbul on Saturday, where he competed in the 57kg division.
Sehrawat, an Asian Games medalist, displayed exceptional form throughout the competition, winning all his bouts with ease. His journey to the Olympic quota began with victories over Georgi Vangelov (10-4) and Ukraine’s Andrii Yatsenko (12-2), propelling him into the quarter-finals.
The semi-final proved to be a crucial moment for Sehrawat as he faced Asian Games silver medalist Chongsong Han of North Korea. With a commanding performance, Sehrawat outplayed Han with a score of 12-2, securing the Olympic quota for India. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for Sehrawat but also provides a lifeline to Ravi Dahiya, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist who competes in the same weight class.
Sehrawat’s path to Olympic qualification has been marked by consistent progress and determination. In 2022, he emerged as the world U23 champion, followed by a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games and a gold medal at the Asian Championships in Astana last year. Despite narrowly missing out on qualification at the 2023 world championships and the Asian Qualifiers, Sehrawat remained focused and seized the opportunity in Istanbul.
Sehrawat’s qualification for the Paris Olympics is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication. It is a moment of pride for Indian wrestling and sets the stage for further success at the upcoming global sporting event.
