Aman Sehrawat wins historic gold at Asian Games after overcoming past weight struggles

Wrestler Aman Sehrawat won India's first-ever gold medal in the men's freestyle 57 kg category at the Asian Games by defeating reigning World Champion Han Chong Song in the final with an 11-7 score.

Weight And Defense

Aman had two main goals entering the event beyond winning a medal. He wanted to compete without the severe weight cut issues that affected him at the 2025 World Championships and perform his favourite celebration of running with the Indian flag on the mat, which rules previously restricted to gold medallists only. Aman stated that this was the first time he had his weight under control in the past year, after missing the 2025 World championships due to stomach issues and bad health. He also worked on his defense over the past year to stop conceding early points in his bouts. Under freestyle team coach Bentinidis Shako, Aman fine-tuned his technique to control attacking positions and stay patient on the mat.

Final And Future

In the final against Han Chong Song, Aman took an early 6-2 lead before conceding five points in a row, but he made a strong comeback to secure the win. Aman scored a total of 57 points across four bouts, averaging nearly 15 points per match, including a 20-9 win against Japanese wrestler Yamoto Ogawa. Regarding the upcoming World Championships starting on October 24, Aman and his coaches have not yet decided on his participation due to the short gap between events and the strict weight cut process. Coach Shako noted that their focus will be on the upcoming year serving as a qualifier for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Context

Controlling body weight is a critical requirement in wrestling disciplines where athletes must meet strict limits before competing. International wrestling events like the Asian Games and World Championships feature intense competition across distinct weight classes and require careful physical preparation from athletes.