The Paris Olympics success took a whole lot of burden off Aman Sehrawat’s shoulders but the younger wrestler says he has already forgotten his bronze-medal feat, as sitting on previous laurels will not let him chase greater goals.
Orphaned at a young age, life has not been a mattress of roses for the Birohar-born wrestler. His paternal uncle supported him wholeheartedly but household obligations did weigh on Aman’s thoughts.
His bronze-winning present in Paris final yr introduced recognition and cash that made his life simple, as Aman carried on the nation’s custom of bringing residence a medal in wrestling from each Olympic Games since 2008.
“The Olympic medal changed my life 90 per cent. No one knew me before. I would not be noticed anywhere, but after the Paris success, people began to know me, respect me. I felt I did something for the country and the hard work of 10-15 years has paid off,” Aman instructed PTI after profitable the 57kg choice trials for the World Championships.
“An Olympic medal is God’s blessing. I was not even expected to win. Expectations were higher from the women wrestlers. Ye to prasad hi hai bhagwaan ka (This is God’s gift).
“It motivated me as effectively. People at the moment are anticipating gold from me. I have already forgotten my bronze medals; I cannot accept that and say I have achieved sufficient. Now I am getting ready for gold.”
Elaborating how success at the highest level had changed his life, the soft-spoken wrestler said, “I should buy no matter I need now.” “There was stress that in future I must get my youthful sister educated and get her married. Now I can observe with a free thoughts; I need not fear about cash.
“It’s not that we were not taken care of. My uncle has always supported us, but you do think about the responsibility of being an elder brother.”
As a person, Aman hasn’t changed a lot. Rather he’s now extra cautious about making choices, being an Olympic medallist.
He attributed his absence from the mat for a substantial time to a number of causes, together with harm.
Aman has competed in solely two tournaments because the Paris Games. He consciously missed the senior Asian Championship.
“After the Olympics, I thought I will train abroad but things do not always go as you expect. Then I got injured also.
“The worry of dropping after profitable an Olympic medal additionally weighed on me. I thought, If I lose folks would say success has spoilt me. So, coaches mentioned you might be at a distinct stage and must be at your greatest to take the mat.
“I could have easily managed the Indian competitors (in trials) but the rivals from other countries were stronger. I need to be at my best before I compete. I felt I was not in perfect shape, and I was advised by the coaches to prepare for the World Championships only.”
On his comeback, Aman competed within the Ulaanbataar Open in Mongolia in June and settled for a bronze, dropping to Mexico’s Roman Bravo-Young within the semifinals.
Indian wrestlers are stronger and never anticipated to lose towards Mexican rivals. But Aman mentioned he would take the defeat in his stride.
“I lost a close bout to a Mexican, I was not ready. Though I fought a good bout, I lost because of my own mistakes, not that he beat me hands down.
“I was competing after one yr, it takes time to get mat sharpness. I couldn’t wrestler the way in which I needed to.” Aman emphasised the need to go on exposure and training trips abroad to spar with better partners.
“We must go for publicity journeys, particularly to Russia and USA, who’re higher than us.”
