Paris Olympics 2024: Aman Sehrawat delivered a stellar performance to secure Indias first wrestling medal at the Olympic Games on Friday. In a thrilling bout, Sehrawat, competing in the mens freestyle 57kg category, emerged victorious against Puerto Ricos Darian Toi Cruz with a score of 13-5. This win not only earned Sehrawat a medal but also marked Indias sixth medal at the ongoing Olympics.Sehrawats journey to medalThe 21-year-old wrestler from India showcased exceptional skill throughout the event. On the first day of competition, Sehrawat dominated his opponents, winning by superiority in both the round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. His impressive run was momentarily halted when he faced a defeat in the semifinals against Japans top seed, Rei Higuchi. Despite the setback, Sehrawats resilience was evident as he prepared for the bronze medal match.🇮🇳🥉 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗭𝗘! Many congratulations to Aman Sehrawat on winning Indias 5th Bronze medal at #Paris2024.🤼‍♂ A top performance from him to defeat Darian Toi Cruz and claim his first-ever Olympic medal.👉 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 @sportwalkmedia 𝗳𝗼𝗿… pic.twitter.com/6ZeyPSYXfN— India at Paris 2024 Olympics (@sportwalkmedia) August 9, 2024Bronze medal boutIn the bronze medal match, Sehrawat encountered a challenging start. Puerto Ricos Toi Cruz scored the first point by pushing Sehrawat out of bounds. However, Sehrawat quickly turned the tables by executing a skillful move to gain two points. The bout saw both wrestlers exchanging points rapidly, with Sehrawat leading 4-3 at the thirty-second break.The second half saw Sehrawat taking control early on. He locked Toi Cruz in a move that earned him three additional points. The match faced a brief interruption as Toi Cruz required medical attention, which seemed to affect his performance. Sehrawat capitalized on this moment, securing another two points and extending his lead to 10-5. The persistent injury issues for Toi Cruz allowed Sehrawat to dominate further, eventually securing a 13-5 victory.Sehrawats historic achievementAman Sehrawats victory is significant for Indian wrestling. He is the only male wrestler representing India in the Paris Olympics and has become the sixth Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal. The list of Indian wrestlers who have previously won medals includes KD Jadhav (bronze in 1952 Helsinki), Sushil Kumar (bronze in Beijing 2008 and silver in London 2012), Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze in London 2012), Ravi Dahiya (silver in Tokyo 2020), and Bajrang Punia (bronze in Tokyo 2020).Whats next for IndiaAs the Paris Olympics continue, Indias hopes for additional medals in wrestling remain high. Reetika Hooda, Indias last remaining contender, is set to compete in the womens freestyle 76kg event on Saturday. Her performance could potentially add to Indias medal tally.Moreover, there is still a chance for another medal in wrestling as Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from her gold medal bout in the womens 50kg event due to being found overweight, has appealed the decision. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has accepted her appeal and will review the case before the end of the Olympics, potentially impacting the final medal standings.
