Latest news with #AmanSehrawat
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Olympic Medal Changed My Life, Felt I Did Something For India: Wrestler Aman Sehrawat
Last Updated: At Paris, Aman Sehrawat carried on the country's tradition of bringing home a medal in wrestling from every Olympic Games since 2008. The success at the Paris Olympics lifted a significant burden off Aman Sehrawat's shoulders, but the young wrestler says he has already moved past his bronze-medal achievement, as resting on past laurels won't allow him to pursue greater ambitions. Orphaned at a young age, life has been challenging for the Birohar-born wrestler. His paternal uncle supported him wholeheartedly, but family responsibilities weighed heavily on Aman's mind. His bronze-winning performance in Paris last year brought recognition and financial ease, continuing India's tradition of securing a wrestling medal at every Olympic Games since 2008. 'The Olympic medal changed my life 90 per cent. No one knew me before. I would not be noticed anywhere, but after the Paris success, people began to know me, respect me. I felt I did something for the country and the hard work of 10-15 years has paid off," Aman told PTI after winning the 57kg selection trials for the World Championships. 'An Olympic medal is God's blessing. I was not even expected to win. Expectations were higher from the women wrestlers. Ye to prasad hi hai bhagwaan ka (This is God's gift). 'It motivated me as well. People are now expecting gold from me. I have already forgotten my bronze medals; I can't settle for that and say I have achieved enough. Now I am preparing for gold." Discussing how success at the highest level had transformed his life, the soft-spoken wrestler said, 'I can buy whatever I want now." 'There was pressure that in future I need to get my younger sister educated and get her married. Now I can practice with a free mind; I don't need to worry about money. 'It's not that we were not taken care of. My uncle has always supported us, but you do think about the responsibility of being an elder brother." As an individual, Aman hasn't changed much. Instead, he is now more cautious about making decisions, being an Olympic medallist. He attributed his absence from the mat for a considerable time to several reasons, including injury. Aman has competed in only two tournaments since the Paris Games. He intentionally missed the senior Asian Championship. 'After the Olympics, I thought I will train abroad but things do not always go as you expect. Then I got injured also. 'The fear of losing after winning an Olympic medal also weighed on me. I thought, If I lose people would say success has spoilt me. So, coaches said you are at a different level and need to be at your best to take the mat. 'I could have easily managed the Indian competitors (in trials) but the rivals from other countries were stronger. I need to be at my best before I compete. I felt I was not in perfect shape, and I was advised by the coaches to prepare for the World Championships only." On his comeback, Aman competed in the Ulaanbataar Open in Mongolia in June and secured a bronze, losing to Mexico's Roman Bravo-Young in the semifinals. Indian wrestlers are stronger and not expected to lose against Mexican rivals. But Aman said he would take the defeat in his stride. 'I lost a close bout to a Mexican, I was not ready. Though I fought a good bout, I lost because of my own mistakes, not that he beat me hands down. 'I was competing after one year, it takes time to get mat sharpness. I could not wrestle the way I wanted to." Aman emphasised the need for exposure and training trips abroad to spar with better partners. 'We need to go for exposure trips, especially to Russia and USA, who are better than us," he said. With PTI Inputs About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in More First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Paris Olympics medallist Aman seals worlds berth
New Delhi: As India's freestyle wrestling goes through a period of transition, Aman Sehrawat has single-handedly kept the flag flying. He was the only Indian wrestler to return with a medal from the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old will again carry the nation's hopes in the men's section at the upcoming World Championships in Zagreb in September. Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (in blue) competes during the World Wrestling Championships trials, in Lucknow. (PTI) A bronze at the Asian Games (2022) and gold at the 2023 Asian Championships ahead of the Paris performance highlight his consistency at major events. On Monday, Aman sailed through the selection trials in Lucknow, securing the berth in the 57kg category, defeating Sumit and Rahul by technical superiority. Another prominent name in the 10-member men's freestyle team is World Championships and Asian Games medallist Deepak Punia, who will compete in the 92kg class. The promising Sujeet Kalkal won the trials in the 65kg category. This will be Sehrawat's maiden appearance at the World Championships but he welcomes the pressure, saying it keeps him motivated. 'The admiration and support I receive give me the energy to perform on the mat, so I'm fine with the pressure. As an Olympic medallist, I understand that people expect me to return with a medal from the World Championships, and I will give my best shot for gold,' Sehrawat told HT. 'I have worked hard on my defence during training stints in Japan and Russia. I got to spar with some strong international wrestlers, which really helped. My leg defence has been a weak area, and I've worked extremely hard to improve it. The worlds will be a good test,' he said. It has been a tough season for Sehrawat. He struggled with injury and took time to return to the mat. 'There was a problem with my knee at the start of the year, so I didn't compete in the trials for the Asian Championships. I wanted to be fully fit before making a comeback. It was important to get some practice before the worlds, so I competed in the Ulaanbaatar Ranking Series.' Sehrawat won bronze at that tournament and was happy with his progress. 'I was competing after almost a year. It was an opportunity to get back on the mat and test my fitness, so I was satisfied with the result.' 'I've been working on my fitness, and today I felt good on the mat. In the 57kg, there are some strong wrestlers — Olympic gold medallist Rei Higuchi of Japan and silver medallist Spencer Lee from the USA. I'll have to see who all are competing at the worlds this time, but I feel I have a good chance,' said Sehrawat, who trains at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium. Among the new faces, Sujeet and Udit (61kg) are expected to put up strong performances. Sujeet has shown good form internationally and recently impressed at the ranking series in Hungary, winning the top prize. Udit claimed silver at the Senior Asian Championships and the 2025 Ulaanbaatar Open. The worlds will be a valuable testing ground for these young talents. Team: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Udit (61kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Rohit (70kg), Jaideep (74kg), Amit (79kg), Mukul (86kg), Deepak Punia (92kg), Vickey (97kg), Rajat (125kg).
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Aman Sehrawat claimed a bronze in the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series
Paris Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Aman Sehrawat (57kg) claimed a bronze in the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series on Sunday. On his comeback to competition after the Olympics last year, Aman defeated Kyrgyzstan's Almaz Smanbekov 11-1 before being pinned by another Olympian and Pan-American champion, Mexico's Roman Gulliermo Bravo Young, in the semifinals. However, he bounced back to beat Turkey's Bekir Keser 12-2 for the bronze. Udit (61kg) picked up a silver, while Amit (79kg) and Vicky (97kg) secured a bronze apiece.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Wrestling team for Ulaanbaatar Open named
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has named wrestlers for the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series to be held in the Mongolian capital from May 29 to June 1. After missing two Ranking Series events, this is the first one of the season where the Indian wrestlers will be able to participate following the Sports Ministry's decision to revoke its suspension of the WFI. Men: Freestyle: Aman Sehrawat, Rahul (57kg), Udit (61kg), Rohit (65kg), Vishal Kaliraman (70kg), Jaideep (74kg), Amit (79kg), Ashish (86kg), Deepak Punia (92kg), Vicky (97kg), Dinesh (125kg); Greco Roman: Anil Mor (55kg), Suraj (60kg), Chetan (63kg), Neeraj (67kg), Ankit Gulia (72kg), Nishant Phogat (77kg), Prince (82kg), Karan Kamboj (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Prem (130kg). Women: Neelam (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Pushpa (55kg), Neha (57kg), Muskan (59kg), Manisha (62kg), Shiksha (65kg), Monika (68kg), Harshita (72kg), Reetika (76kg).
