Aman Sehrawat, Bharat’s youngest Olympic bronze medalist, faced a formidable challenge – shedding 4.5 kilograms within a tight 10-hour window before the mandatory weigh-in for the 57 kg bronze medal bout at the Paris Olympics 2024.
After his semi-final defeat to eventual champion Rei Higuchi, Sehrawat and his coaches, Jagmander Singh and Virender Dahiya, embarked on a rigorous weight-cutting regimen. By the next morning, Aman successfully reduced his weight by 4.6 kilograms, weighing in at 56.9 kg — 100 grams under the critical limit.
The intense process began with a one-and-a-half-hour wrestling session, followed by a hot bath. By 12:30 am, Sehrawat hit the gym for a one-hour treadmill run to sweat out excess weight. This was followed by a 30-minute break and five sessions of 5-minute sauna baths.
Despite these efforts, Aman remained 900 grams over the limit. Additional measures included a massage, light jogging, and five 15-minute running sessions. By 4:30 am, Aman reached the desired weight of 56.9 kg, with his coaches and himself relieved and hopeful.
Throughout the night, Aman stayed hydrated with lukewarm water, lemon, honey, and a bit of coffee while watching wrestling videos to stay focused. His coaches, who stayed awake monitoring his progress, were determined to ensure that no further medal opportunities were missed.
Aman Sehrawat’s meticulous weight management and unwavering determination culminated in his winning the bronze medal, defeating Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz. His victory not only secured his place in history as Bharat’s youngest Olympic medallist but also showcased his resilience and the effectiveness of his team’s strategy.
