Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat’s Olympic gold medal hopes were dashed in the 57kg freestyle semifinal, as he succumbed to a dominant performance by Japanese top seed Rei Higuchi. The 21-year-old Sehrawat, who had impressed with two decisive victories in the earlier rounds, was outclassed by the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist.
Higuchi’s technical superiority was evident from the outset, as he swiftly attacked Sehrawat’s legs to establish a 4-0 lead within seconds. The Japanese wrestler, a former world champion in the 61kg category, maintained relentless pressure, targeting Sehrawat’s legs and executing effortless throw downs to accumulate six more points and end the contest in just over two minutes.
Sehrawat’s journey to the semifinals had been marked by impressive victories. He had demolished former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania by technical superiority, showcasing his agility and leg-hold dominance. In the pre-quarterfinal round, he had also secured an easy passage into the last-eight with a dominating performance against North Macedonian rival Vladimir Egorov.
However, Higuchi proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for Sehrawat. The Japanese wrestler’s superior technique and experience allowed him to control the bout and prevent Sehrawat from mounting any significant offense.
Despite the setback, Sehrawat will have the opportunity to compete for a bronze medal. His performance in the Olympics has been a testament to his talent and determination, and he remains a promising prospect for Indian wrestling.
