Young Indian grappler Aman Sehrawat faced a setback at the Paris Olympic 2024 Match, losing to Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the 57kg freestyle semifinal. This loss was a significant blow to India’s hopes for a gold medal in wrestling.
Semifinal Match Details
Aman Sehrawat, 21, lost to the top-seeded Higuchi by a decisive 10-0 score. The match was held on Thursday, and the Indian wrestler was outperformed by Higuchi, who is the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist. Despite Aman’s previous impressive performances, Higuchi demonstrated his technical superiority in just over two minutes.
In the early moments of the match, Higuchi took a 4-0 lead by attacking Aman’s legs. The Japanese wrestler, a former world champion in 2022, continued to dominate, adding six more points through a series of effective throws.
Aman’s Path to the Semifinals
Earlier, Aman Sehrawat had sparked hopes for a medal by defeating former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania. In a commanding performance, Aman secured a 12-0 victory with his exceptional agility and technique. He executed a series of takedowns and leg holds to overwhelm Abakarov, showcasing his dominance.
Aman’s earlier victories included a smooth performance in the pre-quarterfinals against North Macedonian wrestler Vladimir Egorov. Aman won the bout 10-0, demonstrating his defensive strength and offensive skills. Egorov needed medical attention after the first round, but was unable to recover, allowing Aman to advance with ease.
Anshu Malik’s Performance
In the women’s 57kg category, Anshu Malik also competed but faced defeat against Helen Louise Maroulis of the USA. Malik lost 2-7 in the pre-quarterfinals. This match was a rematch of the 2021 World Championship final, where Malik had previously settled for silver.
Despite Anshu’s determination, Maroulis, a three-time world champion, proved too strong. Maroulis took an early lead in the first round and extended her advantage in the second. Anshu, who showed great resilience, fought hard but could not overcome the experienced American.
Looking Ahead
Aman Sehrawat will now compete for the bronze medal against Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz. Despite the setback in the semifinal, Aman’s journey is not over. His earlier performances have proven his skill and potential, and he has one more chance to secure a podium finish.
In summary, while India’s gold medal hopes in wrestling took a hit with Aman’s semifinal loss, the young wrestler’s performance throughout the tournament has been notable. The fight for bronze remains an opportunity for Aman to cap off a successful campaign. Meanwhile, Anshu Malik’s loss in the women’s category highlights the challenges faced by Indian wrestlers on the global stage. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 Match from IPL365.
