Paris Olympics medallist Aman Sehrawat headlines Indian team for World Wrestling Championships as big names book berth
While Aman Sehrawat barely faced any resistance in his two hours, Sujeet had to work hard for his place as Vishal Kaliraman tested him in the final.
Aman, who has just played the Ulanbatar Ranking Series after Paris, looked a little rustic against Sumit in the semis of 57 kg but eventually won the bout 12-2. In the finals, he defeated Rahul 11-0. It was a classic attacking strategy where he went for the legs and converted it into takedown.
This will be the second World Championships appearance for the 22-year-old from Haryana.
In the 65kg, Sujeet was defensively solid and reversed two attacks from Anuj in the semi-final to win 8-0.
Sujeet took a big lead of 7-1 in the final but Vishal came back to score three more points. However, Sujeet defended well throughout the bout to book his berth.
'My experience at the two Ranking series (Ulaanbaatar and Budapest) are going to help me at the World Championships. For the past one year, I have worked hard on strength and conditioning,' Sujeet told the Indian Express after winning his final.
Deepak Punia decimated both his opponents, one by power and one by tactics. In the 92 kg, he defeated Anil 10-0 in the semi-finals and pinned young Sachin to claim his berth.
Deepak, who competed in 86 kg category at Tokyo Olympics, has started the season in the 92 kg and plans to go back to 86 kg when multi sporting tournaments come close as 92 is not an Olympic category.
'I am doing well in the 92 kg category at the moment. I will cut down weight when we come close to the Asian Games next year,' Deepak said.
However, when Deepak comes back to 86, he will face stiff challenge from youngster Mukul Dahiya. The wrestler from Delhi defeated Ashish in the final to book his berth. He will also be playing in the U20 World Championships scheduled later this month from 17th August.
While the big names had it easy, arguably the best bout of the day was the 79 kg final between Amit and Chander Mohan. While Amit dominated from word go and took an early lead, Chander came back in the second round. But Amit held his defence to win the bout 9-6.
The Indian wrestlers will train together in a camp before the World Championships kick off in Zagreb, Croatia from 13th September.
Freestyle: 57 kg: Aman, 61 kg: Udit, 65 kg: Sujeet Kalkal, 70 kg: Rohit, 74 kg: Jaideep, 79 kg: Amit, 86 kg: Mukul Dahiya, 92 kg: Deepak Punia, 97 kg:, 125 kg: Rajat
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Olympic medal changed my life but I have already forgotten it: Wrestler Aman Sehrawat
The Paris Olympics success took a lot of burden off Aman Sehrawat's shoulders but the young wrestler says he has already forgotten his bronze-medal feat, as sitting on past laurels won't let him chase bigger dreams. Orphaned at a tender age, life has not been a bed of roses for the Birohar-born wrestler. His paternal uncle supported him wholeheartedly but family responsibilities did weigh on Aman's mind. His bronze-winning show in Paris last year brought recognition and money that made his life easy, as Aman carried on the country's tradition of bringing home a medal in wrestling from every 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 told PTI after winning the 57kg selection 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 well. People are now expecting gold from me. I have already forgotten my bronze medals; I can't settle for that and say I have achieved enough. Now I am preparing for gold." Elaborating how success at the highest level had changed his life, the soft-spoken wrestler said, "I can buy whatever I want now." "There was pressure that in future I need to get my younger sister educated and get her married. Now I can practice with a free mind; I don't need to worry about money. "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 an individual, Aman hasn't changed much. Rather he is now more cautious about making decisions, being an Olympic medallist. He attributed his absence from the mat for a considerable time to several reasons, including injury. Aman has competed in only two tournaments since 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 fear of losing after winning an Olympic medal also weighed on me. I thought, If I lose people would say success has spoilt me. So, coaches said you are at a different level and need to be at your best 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 in the Ulaanbataar Open in Mongolia in June and settled for a bronze, losing to Mexico's Roman Bravo-Young in the semifinals. Indian wrestlers are stronger and not expected to lose against Mexican rivals. But Aman said 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 year, it takes time to get mat sharpness. I could not wrestler the way I wanted to." Aman emphasised the need to go on exposure and training trips abroad to spar with better partners. "We need to go for exposure trips, especially to Russia and USA, who are better than us."
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
U.S Visa denied: President Donald Trump administration targets trans women athletes in bold immigration shift
Image via Canada Visa In a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration and sports policy, the government has moved to explicitly limit visa eligibility for transgender women athletes—a development with far‑reaching consequences. This measure, framed under the banner of fairness and safety in women's athletics, raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration law, gender identity, and civil rights. It highlights a growing tension: how to ensure competitive integrity in sport while respecting internationally recognized principles of equality and non‑discrimination. As colleges, Olympic bodies, and transgender rights advocates respond, this policy marks a pivotal moment in the evolving debate over Title IX, gender identity, and international competition. What began as an executive order has now permeated immigration law, reshaping not only who may compete, but who may enter the United States in pursuit of athletic opportunity. Here is what we know about the policy overview so far On August 4, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy update—aligned with Executive Order 14201, titled 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports'—to restrict visa eligibility for transgender women seeking to compete in women's sports in the United States. (via. USCIS) Targeted visa categories include O‑1A, EB‑1, EB‑2, and National Interest Waivers, all often used by elite international athletes. Under the new guidelines, USCIS will consider 'the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women' as a negative factor in adjudicating petitions. (via. Reuters) USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser commented, 'USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women.' He further added, 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the U.S. to participate in women's sports.' What are the legal implications of this new policy? Trump Administration Imposes Lifetime Visa Ban on Transgender Athletes | Firstpost America | N18G This action extends a broader federal enforcement strategy led by President Donald Trump. On February 5, 2025, he signed Executive Order 14201, seeking to reinterpret Title IX of the Education Amendments strictly according to biological sex assigned at birth. The order threatened to 'rescind all funds from educational programs' permitting transgender women's participation in women's sports. Following the order, the NCAA mandated female-only participation for athletes assigned female at birth, and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) policies rapidly shifted to match. In July 2025, USOPC formally updated its eligibility rules to comply with the executive order. Legal experts warn these developments may face constitutional challenges. Lawsuits relating to Title IX and equal protection—including California and Idaho policies—are already moving through courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court's docket in the 2025‑26 term. While the visa restriction ostensibly focuses on transgender athletes, its language hints at broader applicability. According to policy analysts, consular officers may deny visas for 'reasonable suspicion of mismatch between gender identity and sex assigned at birth', raising concern for transgender travelers across all categories, including students and researchers. This visa policy marks a decisive moment in U.S. immigration and sports governance, reshaping entry criteria for transgender female athletes under contested grounds of fairness and biological authenticity. While proponents frame the move as protecting women's athletics, critics argue it reinforces systemic discrimination and violates the rights of a vulnerable minority. Legal and civil‑rights groups have pledged to challenge both the sports bans and visa restrictions. Institutions, including universities and Olympic bodies, must now maneuver through conflicting mandates—balancing Title IX obligations against federal immigration directives. As courtrooms, campuses, and consular offices grapple with this evolving framework, one truth remains clear: the debate over gender, sport, and immigration has become inseparable—and its outcomes may define access and equity for years to come. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Brisbane Olympics: Australia's indigenous group opposes construction of stadium costing Rs 215.56 crore
Brisbane Olympics (Image via X) A legal challenge has been launched by an Indigenous group in Australia to halt the construction of a new 63,000-seat stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on land they say is culturally and ecologically significant. The Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), in collaboration with the Save Victoria Park group, has formally requested federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to protect Brisbane's Victoria Park under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Victoria Park, a 60-hectare green space in inner Brisbane, was named in March as the proposed site for the A$3.8 billion stadium (Australian dollar), which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. YMAC spokeswoman Gaja Kerry Charlton emphasised the area's deep cultural value. 'We are very concerned there are ancient trees, artefacts and very important ecosystems existing there. There may be ancestral remains,' she said, as quoted by BBC. 'Victoria Park is of great significance and history for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.' A spokesperson for the federal government confirmed that the heritage protection application has been received and is currently under review. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The environment department is expected to follow standard procedures, including consultations with all relevant parties, including the Queensland government. Controversy around Olympic infrastructure planning in Queensland has grown over recent years. The initial bid, led by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, included redeveloping the Gabba at a cost of A$3bn—an unpopular move among residents. Her successor, Steven Miles, dropped that plan amid a cost-of-living crisis, opting instead to upgrade existing venues. However, after a change in government, new premier David Crisafulli reversed course and backed a new stadium at Victoria Park. He also introduced legislation to exempt Olympic venues from regular planning regulations to speed up development. The proposal has drawn criticism from Indigenous communities and local residents, with concerns over the potential loss of green space and damage to sacred heritage sites. Poll Do you support the construction of the new stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane Olympics? Yes, it will boost the economy. No, it threatens cultural heritage. Despite the opposition, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said there was 'strong support' for the stadium and expected efforts to block the project. 'Ultimately, this is going to happen,' he said. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
