The rise and fall of Aman Sehrawat is a story that mirrors the triumph and turmoil of Indian wrestling. Just months ago, he was celebrated as a national hero—India’s bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics, a young prodigy who carried the nation’s hopes on his muscular shoulders. Today, he stands banned from the mat for an entire year, his reputation bruised not by defeat, but by a few extra kilograms that cost him his place, his medal chances, and perhaps, his peace.
Aman Sehrawat, India’s freestyle wrestling star in the 57 kg category, has been suspended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after being disqualified from the World Championships for failing to make weight. The difference was marginal—1.7 kilograms over the prescribed limit—but in the rigid world of competitive wrestling, such margins can shatter careers.
The WFI issued a show-cause notice to Aman on September 23 and later announced a one-year suspension, citing indiscipline and failure to adhere to the weight management protocols. The decision followed a meeting of the WFI’s disciplinary panel, which found his explanation unsatisfactory. Aman was also pulled up for skipping national training camps and not keeping the federation updated about his fitness regimen.
The young wrestler, however, offered his side of the story with a mix of honesty and regret. He explained that his training schedule had been disrupted since his return from Russia earlier in the year. After a brief training stint in Lucknow, he had participated in the pre-competition camp in Croatia, where his coaches regularly monitored his weight. By his account, he was just 600 grams overweight the night before the weigh-in, which is generally manageable with routine dehydration or light training. But on the crucial morning, things went wrong.
“I had a stomach issue that night,” Aman admitted. “I couldn’t train or cut weight properly. I thought I’d recover by morning, but my body didn’t cooperate. My weight just wouldn’t drop.”
Those words reflect a larger, troubling pattern in Indian wrestling—an unhealthy obsession with rapid weight cutting. Wrestlers often undergo extreme dehydration and food deprivation in the final hours before a weigh-in, all in the pursuit of staying within category limits. The practice, once brushed off as part of the sport’s discipline, is now being seen as a dangerous habit that risks both performance and health.
Aman’s case is not isolated. Just weeks before, Vinesh Phogat faced a similar controversy at the Paris Olympics when she exceeded her weight category on the morning of her gold medal bout, resulting in disqualification. Together, these incidents have raised uncomfortable questions about India’s wrestling management system and the pressures it imposes on athletes to perform at any cost.
WFI President Sanjay Kumar Singh, in his statement, said the disciplinary committee found Aman’s response lacking in accountability. “This kind of indiscipline cannot be ignored. The suspension serves as a reminder that rules are meant to be followed by all, no matter how decorated the athlete,” Singh said.
The punishment means Aman will miss the upcoming Asian Games in Japan and all other domestic and international competitions for the next year. The decision has been received with mixed reactions. While many support the federation’s stance on discipline, others believe the ban is too harsh for a first-time mistake, especially for a 21-year-old still learning to navigate the pressures of elite sport.
Aman has accepted the suspension but remains hopeful for redemption. “I’ve learned my lesson. I will work harder, manage my weight better, and come back stronger,” he said. His words carry both humility and heartbreak—a reminder that behind every headline is a human being striving to balance ambition with endurance.
The ban on Aman Sehrawat is more than a disciplinary note. It is a reflection of India’s wrestling system, where victory and vulnerability walk hand in hand. His story should compel sports authorities to rethink the culture of unsafe weight-cutting and establish better scientific monitoring systems. For now, Aman will wait in silence, counting the days until he can return to the mat, where every move will carry the weight not just of his body—but of redemption itself.
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