Young Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat’s journey toward Olympic gold came to a heartbreaking halt as he was defeated by Japan’s top-seeded Rei Higuchi in the semifinals of the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. The 21-year-old Sehrawat, who had impressed with a string of strong performances earlier in the tournament, will now turn his focus to securing a bronze medal in his upcoming bout against Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz on Friday.

Aman, who had been one of India’s promising contenders in the wrestling arena, entered the semifinal match with high hopes after notching up two commanding victories in the previous rounds. However, he faced a formidable challenge in Higuchi, a seasoned wrestler and the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist. The 28-year-old Japanese grappler displayed his technical prowess and experience, swiftly overpowering Aman with a dominant 10-0 win in just over two minutes.

Higuchi’s superior strategy and execution left little room for Aman to mount a challenge, as the Japanese wrestler capitalized on every opportunity to extend his lead. Aman’s defeat, while disappointing, does not diminish his commendable run in the competition, where he showcased his potential on the global stage.

India’s hopes for a gold medal in wrestling may have been dashed, but Aman’s journey in Paris is not yet over. The young grappler will have a chance to bring home a medal when he competes for the bronze on Friday. Standing between him and the podium is Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz, a seasoned opponent who will also be eager to claim a place among the medalists.

As Aman prepares for his next bout, the nation’s hopes and prayers are with him, as he aims to make a mark at the Paris Olympics and return with a bronze medal in what has already been a memorable campaign.