Aman Sehrawat completed one of the most significant chapters of his wrestling career on October 3, 2026, defeating reigning world champion Han Chong Song of DPR Korea 11-7 in the men’s 57kg freestyle final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The 23-year-old became the first Indian to win Asian Games gold in the men’s 57kg freestyle category, improving on the bronze he won at Hangzhou 2022.
The victory also added an Asian Games gold to the bronze he won at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he became India’s youngest Olympic medallist. Sehrawat’s triumph came after a difficult period following the Paris Games, including illness, missed competitions and a one-year suspension from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after he failed to make weight at the 2025 World Championships.
The WFI later lifted the suspension, with president Sanjay Singh saying it was Sehrawat’s first such lapse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sehrawat, saying that moving from bronze at the previous Asian Games to gold demonstrated “great tenacity”. President Droupadi Murmu said Sehrawat had “fought your way to the top” and that his performance would inspire young wrestlers across the country.
What a phenomenal triumph for Aman Sehrawat! He has scripted history by winning India’s first-ever Asian Games Gold in the Men’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling event. From Bronze at the last Asian Games to standing atop the podium this time, Aman has displayed great tenacity. Congratulations and best wishes to him: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 3, 2026
From Loss To Wrestling
Born on July 16, 2003, in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, Sehrawat experienced the loss of both his parents at a young age. According to the Press Information Bureau, he lost his mother at 10 and his father a year later and was raised by his grandfather, Mangeram Sehrawat. Wrestling became an important part of his life, with two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar serving as an inspiration.
Sehrawat trained at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, one of India’s leading wrestling centres, where he developed into a top-level freestyle wrestler. His breakthrough came in 2022 when he won gold at the U23 World Championships. He followed that with gold at the 2023 Asian Championships and bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games, establishing himself among India’s leading wrestlers in the 57kg category.
A Difficult Comeback
Sehrawat’s career reached another high at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he won bronze in the men’s 57kg freestyle event at 21 years and 24 days, becoming India’s youngest Olympic medallist. The period afterwards, however, was difficult. Sehrawat spoke about struggling with motivation and dealing with a stomach ailment, while missed competitions interrupted his season.
In September 2025, he missed the required weight before his opening bout at the World Championships in Zagreb and was suspended by the WFI for a year. Sehrawat said the lapse was not intentional and that a stomach ache had developed the night before the weigh-in. In November 2025, the WFI lifted the suspension. WFI president Sanjay Singh said the decision was taken because it was Sehrawat’s first lapse and noted his strong international record.
Making Asian Games History
Sehrawat arrived in Nagoya determined to turn his previous Asian Games bronze into gold. He began his campaign with a 20-9 technical-superiority victory over Japan’s Yamato Ogawa and then defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurdanat Aitanov 12-1 in the quarter-final. In the semi-final against Tajikistan’s Aiaal Belolyubskii, Sehrawat trailed 2-6 before producing a strong second period to win 14-8.
The final against Han was another test of his resilience. Sehrawat established a 6-1 lead, but the reigning world champion fought back to move 7-6 ahead. With time running out, Sehrawat scored four points through a takedown and roll to regain the lead. Han challenged the scoring, but the challenge was unsuccessful, giving Sehrawat another point. He defended the final seconds to secure an 11-7 victory. The result made him the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the men’s 57kg freestyle category and upgraded his Hangzhou bronze to gold.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Aman Sehrawat’s historic gold is not simply a medal; it is the latest chapter in a journey shaped by loss, discipline, setbacks and the determination to return to competition. His experience also highlights why athletes need support systems that recognise that careers are rarely linear.
Sehrawat’s story, from losing his parents at a young age to becoming an Olympic medallist and now an Asian Games champion, shows what sustained opportunity and perseverance can make possible. As India celebrates his achievement, how can we create stronger systems that help young athletes navigate setbacks while giving them the opportunity to realise their potential?
Read More: India Finishes Fourth With 85 Medals, 21 Golds And Historic Breakthroughs At Asian Games 2026
