The wrestling world often requires more than just skill and strength – it demands extraordinary sacrifice and discipline. Aman Sehrawat, India’s youngest Olympic bronze medalist, epitomized this commitment when he faced an unexpected challenge just hours before his bronze medal match. After a semi-final defeat, Aman needed to lose 4.6 kilograms in just 10 hours to qualify for the 57kg category. What followed was an intense and carefully coordinated effort, reflecting the determination that ultimately led him to victory.
The pressure to perform
Aman Sehrawat’s journey to winning the bronze medal in the 57kg freestyle wrestling category at the Olympics wasn’t just about physical strength; it was about overcoming immense pressure. On Thursday evening, after losing the semi-final bout to Japan’s Rei Higuchi, Aman’s weight stood at 61.5kg – 4.6kg above the limit for his next match. With only 10 hours to lose the excess weight, the challenge was as much mental as it was physical.
The rigorous weight-cutting routine
The weight-cutting mission began immediately. Aman, alongside his dedicated coaches Jagmander Singh and Virender Dahiya, took on a gruelling regime. The first phase involved a one-and-a-half-hour mat session focused on standing wrestling, designed to give a boost to the weight loss session. This was followed by an hour-long hot bath session, intended to induce sweating for rapid weight loss.
The all-night workout marathon
As the clock ticked past midnight, Aman’s battle against the scales intensified. He hit the gym for a non-stop one-hour treadmill run, pushing his body to the limits of endurance. After a brief 30-minute rest, the team moved on to a series of 5 sauna sessions, each lasting 5 minutes. The relentless effort was paying off, but not fast enough – Aman was still 900g over the limit.
The final push
With the clock ticking and Aman’s weight still above the required 57kg, the coaches turned to a combination of light jogging and sauna baths. Over the course of several 15-minute running sessions, Aman’s weight gradually edged closer to the target. By 4:30 am, the scales finally tipped in his favour – Aman weighed in at 56.9kg, just 100 grams below the critical limit.
All the hard work, sweat, and sleepless hours worked in Aman’s bronze medal victory the following day. His achievement not only made him India’s youngest Olympic medallist but also highlighted the extreme lengths athletes go to in pursuit of greatness. (With inputs from PTI)
