Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat, 21, made headlines at the Paris Olympics 2024 for his incredible weight loss feat, shedding 4.6 kg in just 10 hours to compete for the bronze medal in the 57 kg category.
Aman faced a significant challenge after losing his semifinal bout against Japan’s Rei Higuchi on August 8. Weighing 61.5 kg, he needed to cut 4.5 kg within a stipulated time of 10 hours before the mandatory second-day weigh-in to qualify for the bronze medal match.
The young wrestler, along with his coaches Jagmander Singh and Virender Dahiya, embarked on an intense weight-loss regimen to meet the requirement and avoid a heartbreaking disqualification like fellow Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was eliminated for being just 100 grams over the limit.
How Aman Sehrawat lose 4.6 kgs in 10 hours?
Aman and his coaches implemented a rigorous plan to shed the excess weight in time for the weigh-in:
- Mat Session: A 1.5-hour session focusing on standing wrestling under the guidance of his coaches.
- Hot Bath: Followed by a one-hour hot bath session to induce sweating and aid in weight loss.
- Treadmill Run: At 12:30 am, Aman had a non-stop one-hour run on the treadmill to further promote sweating and weight reduction.
- Sauna Sessions: Five 5-minute sauna sessions were conducted to continue shedding weight.
- Final Efforts: Despite these efforts, Aman was still 900 grams over the limit. He received a massage and then engaged in light jogging, followed by five 15-minute running sessions.
By 4:30 am, Aman successfully weighed in at 56.9 kg, just 100 grams below the required limit, allowing him to compete for bronze.
A Sleepless Night
Throughout the intense weight-cutting process, Aman stayed awake, watching wrestling videos to keep his focus sharp. His coaches also sacrificed their sleep, keeping a close eye on his weight every hour.
“We kept checking his weight every hour. We didn’t sleep the whole night, not even during the day,” said coach Virender Dahiya.
Victory in Adversity
Aman’s hard work and dedication paid off when he defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz in the bronze medal match, securing his place as India’s youngest Olympic medallist.
This remarkable achievement underscores the determination and perseverance required to excel at the highest level of competition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Aman Sehrawat on his historic bronze medal, stating, “More pride thanks to our wrestlers! Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat.”
