"Aman’s Olympic medal is the best ‘guru dakshina’" - Aman Sehrawat’s coach Mahabali Satpal after historic bronze win
The only male wrestler from India to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Aman Sehrawat kept the Tricolour flying high with a bronze in the men’s 57-kilogram freestyle category. In the process, he became the youngest Indian to clinch an Olympic medal.
As the 21-year-old from Haryana stood on the podium, his fellow trainees at the fabled Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi erupted into celebration. But even as he danced in joy along with his students, veteran coach Satpal Singh was not completely happy.
“We had trained for gold. I was absolutely confident that Aman will become Olympic champion. But still, I am happy. An Olympic medal at this young age is a tremendous achievement,” Satpal told Sportskeeda.
“He was unlucky to concede a four-point move against the wrester from Japan (in the semifinals). If he could have somehow defended himself against that move he would have won that bout and gone on to win the final,” he added.
“He totally deserves this medal. He performed really well. If fact, he should have won gold. But anything can happen in sport. He had worked really hard over the last few years. He is just 21. If he continues to work and avoids injuries, he could be unstoppable at the next Olympics.”
Aman shines at ParisvOlympics
Probably one of the most inexperienced wrestlers at the Paris Olympics in his weight division, Aman showed calmness and maturity much beyond his tender age as he overpowered Vladimir Egorov of North Macedonia by technical superiority in the opening round.
The youngster from the Jhajjar district of Haryana was up against the formidable Zelimkhan Abakarov in the quarterfinals. A former world champion, the experienced 31-year-old from Albania had defeated Aman at the World Championships last year.
The combative Haryanvi, however, showed no signs of nerves as he racked up yet another victory by technical superiority to enter the last four stage where he lost out to eventual champion Rei Higuchi of Japan.
Aman quickly set aside his disappointment from that defeat to steamroll Darian Cruz of Puerto Rico in the play-off for the bronze medal.
Aman vindicates coach Satpal
But even as the entire nation celebrates the addition of yet another medal to the Indian tally at the Paris Olympics, Satpal is already looking far into the future.
The former Asian champion, who had mentored another wrestling sensation – the legendary double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar – is aiming to groom Aman into a behemoth of world wrestling.
In many ways, Aman’s Olympic exploits are vindication for Satpal. Vindication for his obstinate belief in what then seemed like an improbable dream when he decided to reject a seat in the Upper House of Parliament to nurture young wrestlers into Olympic champions.
“Aman’s Olympic medal is the best ‘guru dakshina’ that he could have given me. (Then prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi had offered me a Rajya Sabha seat after I became Asian champion. But instead, I chose to devote my life towards traning wrestlers. I may have missed an Olympic medal, but I wanted to win through my students,” Satpal said.
“I faced ridicule for my decision as almost everyone thought that I was chasing an impossible dream. But today, as I look at Sushil and Aman, I feel vindicated. They have made my Olympic dreams come true.”