In a swift and unexpected turn of events at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, India’s wrestling hope Aman Sehrawat was defeated by Gulomjon Abdullaev in just two minutes and 17 seconds. This loss dashed India’s chances of securing a quota for the upcoming Paris Olympics and left the six-member men’s team empty-handed from the crucial qualifier.
Aman Sehrawat, the reigning 2023 Asian champion, was the only Indian wrestler to advance past the quarter-final stage. He started strong by defeating Kazakhstan’s Yerassyl Mukhtaruly with a commanding 10-0 victory and followed it up with an impressive 11-1 win over South Korea’s Sunggwon Kim. However, his journey came to an abrupt end when he faced the seasoned Uzbek wrestler Abdullaev in the semi-final round.
Abdullaev’s aggressive style proved to be a challenging matchup for Aman, who typically prefers to mount his attacks in the second period of the bout. Despite his best efforts, Aman struggled to counter Abdullaev’s relentless assault. The Uzbek wrestler executed a series of takedowns and ultimately pinned Aman to secure the coveted Paris quota.
According to Aman’s coach Lalit Kumar from Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, Abdullaev was a formidable opponent who presented a significant challenge for the young Indian wrestler. Despite Aman’s preparation and training, he was unable to overcome Abdullaev’s aggressive tactics in the crucial semi-final match.
Looking ahead, Indian wrestlers will now have their sights set on the World Qualifiers in May, the last opportunity to secure quotas for the Paris Games. The focus will shift to the women’s competitions, with Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Radhika (76kg) carrying India’s hopes in the upcoming matches.
As the wrestling community reflects on Aman Sehrawat’s journey at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that come with competitive sports. Despite the setback, the Indian wrestling contingent remains determined and resilient in their pursuit of Olympic glory.
