Indian wrestling sensation Aman Sehrawat has made a remarkable leap in the global wrestling arena, surging four positions to claim the World No. 2 spot in the men’s 57 kg category, according to the latest United World Wrestling rankings.
This achievement comes on the heels of Sehrawat’s historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he became the youngest Olympic medalist in Indian wrestling history.
Sehrawat, only 22 years old, secured a bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg wrestling category by defeating Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz with a dominant 13-5 victory. This win not only solidified his place among the world’s elite wrestlers but also made him the sole Indian wrestler to earn a medal at the Paris Games. His current ranking of second in the world is a testament to his rapid rise in the sport, where he now holds 51,600 points.
The young wrestler’s journey at the Paris Olympics was a rollercoaster of emotions. He entered the Games as the youngest male wrestler in his weight class and impressed right from the start. In the earlier rounds, Sehrawat showed his technical prowess, first defeating North Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov with a commanding 10-0 victory in the Round of 16. He followed this up with another stellar performance in the quarterfinals, achieving a 12-0 technical superiority win over Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakanov.
However, Sehrawat’s quest for gold was halted in the semifinals by Japan’s Rei Higuchi, the current World No. 1, who boasts 59,000 points. Despite the loss, Sehrawat’s skill shone through in the bronze medal match, where he decisively defeated Cruz, marking a significant milestone in his career and in Indian sports history.
Sehrawat’s ascent to the top ranks of world wrestling has been nothing short of meteoric. Prior to the Paris Olympics, he was ranked sixth globally but catapulted to second after his outstanding Olympic campaign. This achievement is particularly significant given that he had to overcome fellow Indian wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist in the same weight class, during the national selection trials for the Olympic qualifiers.
Dahiya’s silver at the previous Olympics had set a high bar, and Sehrawat’s success at Paris 2024 ensured that India’s legacy in Olympic wrestling continues strong.
India has a proud history in wrestling at the Olympics, having won at least one medal in the sport at every Games since 2008. Sehrawat’s bronze in Paris extends this streak and adds a new chapter to the story of Indian wrestling. His rise to World No. 2 is a reflection of his hard work, determination, and the evolving strength of Indian wrestling on the global stage.
As Aman Sehrawat continues his career, the wrestling world will undoubtedly be watching his every move. With youth on his side and already a historic Olympic medal to his name, the future looks exceptionally bright for this young Indian wrestler. The next challenge for Sehrawat will be to maintain his form and possibly even surpass his current achievements as he continues to represent India at the highest levels of international wrestling.
