How Aman Sehrawat lost 4.6kg in one night and secured Olympic bronze

The wrestling The world often requires more than just skill and strength – it requires extraordinary sacrifice and discipline. Aman SehrawatIndia’s youngest Olympic bronze medalist, embodied this dedication when he faced an unexpected challenge just hours before his bronze medal match. After a semi-final defeat, Aman had to lose 4.6 kilograms in just 10 hours to qualify for the 57kg categoryWhat followed was an intense and carefully coordinated effort, reflecting the determination that ultimately led him to victory.

The pressure to perform

Aman Sehrawat’s journey to winning the bronze medal in the 57kg freestyle wrestling category at the Olympics wasn’t just about physical strength; it was about overcoming immense pressure. On Thursday night, after losing his semi-final match to Japan’s Rei Higuchi, Aman weighed in at 61.5kg – 4.6kg over the limit for his upcoming match. With just 10 hours to shed the excess weight, the challenge was as much mental as physical.

The rigorous routine to lose weight

The mission to save weight began immediately. Aman, along with his dedicated coaches Jagmander Singh and Virender Dahiyaadopted a grueling regimen. The first phase involved a 90-minute mat session focused on standing wrestling, designed to kick-start the weight loss session. This was followed by an hour-long session in a hot tub, designed to induce sweating—for rapid weight loss.

The marathon of all night training

As midnight passed, Aman’s battle with the scales intensified. He hit the gym for an hour-long non-stop treadmill run, pushing his body to its limits. After a short 30-minute rest, the team moved on to a series of five sauna sessions, each lasting five minutes. The tireless effort paid off, but not quickly enough—Aman still weighed 900 grams over the limit.

The last push

With the clock ticking and Aman still over the required 57 kg, the coaches switched to a combination of light jogging and sauna bathing. Over the course of several 15-minute runs, Aman’s weight gradually came closer to the target. At 4:30 a.m., the scales finally tipped in his favor – Aman weighed 56.9 kg, just 100 grams below the critical limit.

All the hard work, sweat and sleepless hours contributed to Aman’s bronze medal victory the next day. His performance not only made him India’s youngest Olympic medalist but also highlighted the extreme lengths athletes go in the pursuit of greatness.
(With inputs from PTI)