Sehrawat Banned
New Delhi
India’s Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat has been handed a one-year ban from wrestling after failing to make weight at the World Championships, ruling him out of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The 22-year-old, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics last year, weighed in 1.7 kg (3.7 pounds) over the limit for his opening bout in the men’s 57kg freestyle category at the championships held in Zagreb, Croatia last month. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced that the suspension, effective from September 23, will prevent Sehrawat from competing in the Asian Games scheduled to begin in September 2026.
In its statement, the WFI emphasized the seriousness of the violation, noting that “failure to adhere to these standards, particularly in managing your weight, has not only impacted your personal credibility but also tarnished the image of the nation on the global stage.”
Sehrawat’s ban follows a similar incident involving Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics, when she was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle final for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grammes.
The WFI’s strict enforcement of weight regulations highlights the importance of discipline and adherence to international standards, particularly at high-profile events like the Olympics and World Championships. Sehrawat’s absence from the 2026 Asian Games will be a significant setback for India, given his status as one of the country’s most promising young wrestlers in the 57kg category.
The wrestling community now hopes Sehrawat can use the suspension period to regroup, manage his weight effectively, and return stronger in future international competitions.