India’s 21-year-old Aman Sehrawat created history as he became the youngest medal winner for the country in Olympic history. Sehrawat who lost the semifinal bout comprehensively, not only worked hard to lose 4.6 kg weight overnight but beat Cuba’s Darion Cruz to bag the bronze medal and prevent the wrestling contingent from returning empty-handed. Following the bronze medal win, in an exclusive interaction with Sports Tak, the youngster was asked why he wasn’t spotted eating in the mess at the Games village or outside it.
“Thoda bhut bahar se leke aaye the. Vajan bhi to dekhna hai. Mess me jakar mein jakar zyada kha lu to, fir vajan bhi to badh jayega (I had brought some from India. Weight also has to be monitored. If I eat too much in the mess, then my weight will also increase), Sehrawat told Sports Tak.
Fight against Dahiya was toughest
In another interaction with Sports Today, he revealed that his toughest fight of career wasn't at the Olympics but when he beat Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya in the selection trails to book his spot in the qualification round.
“Dekhiye mere hisab Ravi Dahiya ko jo maine bharat mein haraya tha. Vaha match jyada kathin tha. jabki Olympic ke match itne jyada kathin nahin the. Maine abhi kansya padak jeeta hai aur agle 2028 Olympic mein gold medal lane ki koshish karunga (See, according to me, I defeated Ravi Dahiya in India. That match was more difficult. Whereas the Olympic matches were not that difficult. I have just won a bronze medal and will try to bring a gold medal in the next 2028 Olympics), the youngster said.
Sehrawat doesn’t want his photo with greats yet
Sehrawat was also asked about whether he sees a big photo of himself like two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and Dahiya and Yogeshwar Dutt to which he replied that he wants it after winning a gold in LA Olympics 2028.
Earlier, Sehrawat worked hard to shed the extra weight before the weigh in. He stayed up all night and underwent grueling sessions on the mat, treadmill and took sauna baths to get his weight down to 56.9 kg.
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