NEW DELHI: Wrestler Aman Sehrawat lost to Japan’s top seed Rei Higuchi in the 57kg freestyle semifinals at Paris Olympics there, dealing a blow to India’s hopes of winning gold in wrestling.
Aman, who had put in excellent performances earlier, could not match Higuchi’s superior skills, losing 10-0 in just two minutes.
Aman will now compete for the bronze medal.
Aman impressed in the early stages, securing two outstanding victories that raised the country’s hopes of a gold medal. However, the 28-year-old Higuchi, a silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, proved to be a formidable opponent.
Highlighting his technical superiority, Higuchi quickly attacked Aman’s legs within the first few seconds, taking an early 4-0 lead.
Higuchi’s constant pressure was evident as he continued to target Aman’s legs, executing a smooth throw to collect six more points and wrap up the match quickly. A former world champion in the 61kg category in Belgrade in 2022, Higuchi shared his experience and skills during the contest.
Earlier, Aman had saved the nation’s hopes with a dominant victory over former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania. Aman earned a place in the semifinals by defeating Abakarov with technical superiority.
Showing impressive form, Aman locked Abakarov’s legs early in the second round, reversing several times to score eight points in a row and secure a 12-0 victory. The match with Abakarov started with Aman getting a passive point after his opponent, who is from Russia, made no offensive moves. Soon after, Aman executed a left-footed grab for two additional points, wrapping up the first half with a 3-0 lead.
In the second round, Aman showed his agility against the 31-year-old Albanian. He attacked Abakarov’s left leg, taking him down before performing a ‘fitley’ (leg lace), which involved turning the Albanian wrestler several times. This maneuver secured the match by more than two minutes.
Despite Abakarov’s challenge for the final points awarded to Aman, the referee confirmed the decision in favor of Aman, giving him an additional point. Aman will meet Japan’s top seed Rei Higuchi in the last four later in the day.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Aman ensured easy progress to the last eight by dominating North Macedonian opponent Vladimir Egorov. Aman, the Asian Championship gold medalist and the only male wrestler from India to qualify for the Olympics, displayed incredible agility and maintained a strong defense as he consistently beat Egorov with leg holds, winning by technical superiority (10-0).
Egorov, the 29-year-old former European champion, appeared to be in trouble after the first round, requiring medical treatment for his knee after an all-Aman attack. However, they couldn’t come back, as Aman did another takedown to get two more points, completing a 10-0 run with just over two minutes left.
Aman Sehrawat’s journey at the Paris Olympics was a mix of impressive victories and tough semi-final defeats, but he remained in contention for the bronze medal, reflecting the talent and challenges he faces in high-stakes competition.
Anshu Malik lose
Women’s grappler Anshu Malik showed great determination but was unable to break the defense of experienced USA Helen Louise Maroulis, losing 2-7 in the 57kg pre-quarterfinals.
It was a rematch of the 2021 World Championship final in Oslo where Anshu had to settle for silver against the Americans.
Anshu’s hopes of qualifying for the bronze medal match now depend on the ‘repechage’ providing Helen, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, reach the final.
Anshu was up against one of the most famous wrestlers in the world, but he struggled with gumption to the point where he only managed two points in the first round. Helen attacked Anshu’s left leg and then pushed the Indian to the mat for a 2-0 lead.
The Indian then held off Helen, a three-time world champion, in the first round before the American came back to show her pedigree in the second and win despite a warning.
Aman, who had put in excellent performances earlier, could not match Higuchi’s superior skills, losing 10-0 in just two minutes.
Aman will now compete for the bronze medal.
Aman impressed in the early stages, securing two outstanding victories that raised the country’s hopes of a gold medal. However, the 28-year-old Higuchi, a silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, proved to be a formidable opponent.
Highlighting his technical superiority, Higuchi quickly attacked Aman’s legs within the first few seconds, taking an early 4-0 lead.
Higuchi’s constant pressure was evident as he continued to target Aman’s legs, executing a smooth throw to collect six more points and wrap up the match quickly. A former world champion in the 61kg category in Belgrade in 2022, Higuchi shared his experience and skills during the contest.
Earlier, Aman had saved the nation’s hopes with a dominant victory over former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania. Aman earned a place in the semifinals by defeating Abakarov with technical superiority.
Showing impressive form, Aman locked Abakarov’s legs early in the second round, reversing several times to score eight points in a row and secure a 12-0 victory. The match with Abakarov started with Aman getting a passive point after his opponent, who is from Russia, made no offensive moves. Soon after, Aman executed a left-footed grab for two additional points, wrapping up the first half with a 3-0 lead.
In the second round, Aman showed his agility against the 31-year-old Albanian. He attacked Abakarov’s left leg, taking him down before performing a ‘fitley’ (leg lace), which involved turning the Albanian wrestler several times. This maneuver secured the match by more than two minutes.
Despite Abakarov’s challenge for the final points awarded to Aman, the referee confirmed the decision in favor of Aman, giving him an additional point. Aman will meet Japan’s top seed Rei Higuchi in the last four later in the day.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Aman ensured easy progress to the last eight by dominating North Macedonian opponent Vladimir Egorov. Aman, the Asian Championship gold medalist and the only male wrestler from India to qualify for the Olympics, displayed incredible agility and maintained a strong defense as he consistently beat Egorov with leg holds, winning by technical superiority (10-0).
Egorov, the 29-year-old former European champion, appeared to be in trouble after the first round, requiring medical treatment for his knee after an all-Aman attack. However, they couldn’t come back, as Aman did another takedown to get two more points, completing a 10-0 run with just over two minutes left.
Aman Sehrawat’s journey at the Paris Olympics was a mix of impressive victories and tough semi-final defeats, but he remained in contention for the bronze medal, reflecting the talent and challenges he faces in high-stakes competition.
Anshu Malik lose
Women’s grappler Anshu Malik showed great determination but was unable to break the defense of experienced USA Helen Louise Maroulis, losing 2-7 in the 57kg pre-quarterfinals.
It was a rematch of the 2021 World Championship final in Oslo where Anshu had to settle for silver against the Americans.
Anshu’s hopes of qualifying for the bronze medal match now depend on the ‘repechage’ providing Helen, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, reach the final.
Anshu was up against one of the most famous wrestlers in the world, but he struggled with gumption to the point where he only managed two points in the first round. Helen attacked Anshu’s left leg and then pushed the Indian to the mat for a 2-0 lead.
The Indian then held off Helen, a three-time world champion, in the first round before the American came back to show her pedigree in the second and win despite a warning.
