Aman Sehrawat, a young wrestler from the small village of Birohar in Jhar district, Haryana, has overcome immense challenges to achieve his dreams. The story of his journey is proof of how resilience, family support, and a solid inspiration can turn a person’s life around.
Aman was just 10 years old when he watched Sushil Kumar, an Indian wrestling legend, win a silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012. That moment ignited a spark in him. Watching Sushil’s triumph on television, Aman decided that he too wanted to wrestle and win a medal for India. This was not just a childhood dream but a goal that Aman dedicated his life to achieving.
Growing up, Aman faced significant hardships. His family, led by his father Sombir Sehrawat, were farmers who struggled to make ends meet. Despite their financial struggles, Sombir supported Aman’s dream wholeheartedly. When Aman expressed his desire to train at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, known as the cradle of Indian wrestling, his father did everything he could to make it happen, reported Matrubhumi.
However, tragedy struck Aman early in life. He lost his mother to mental illness and soon after, his father passed away too. At just 11 years old, Aman was devastated by the loss of both parents. He slipped into depression and even considered taking drugs to escape his pain, according to TOI. It was a dark period in his life, and his dream of becoming a wrestler seemed to be slipping away.
But Aman was not alone. His grandfather, Mangeram Sehrawat, and his uncle, Sudhir Sehrawat, stepped in to support him. They encouraged Aman to keep pursuing his passion for wrestling. Their belief in him helped Aman find his way back to the wrestling mat.
Aman’s hard work and dedication began to pay off. Under the guidance of his current coach, Lalit Kumar, Aman improved steadily and achieved several milestones. He made headlines when he became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Wrestling Championship.
And today, Aman Sehrawat has become the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal. At just 21 years of age, Aman defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz to win the bronze medal in the 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
“I came with the dream of winning a medal at the Olympics. Wanted to win gold but everything happens for one’s good. Next time, I will be better prepared. This was a big boost for me and I have the belief now that I will surely do well in the 2028 Olympics,” NDTV quoted him saying.
Aman Sehrawat’s journey is a testament to the fact that success is not just about talent, but also about perseverance and the ability to overcome life’s toughest challenges. Congratulations to him for achieving this remarkable feat!