Aman Sehrawat wins Asian Games gold in 57kg wrestling, stuns world champion
Synopsis
Aman Sehrawat trailed 6-7 with under a minute left against the reigning world champion — and still won. His coach's unconventional advice to skip opponent video analysis and back his own game paid off with India's first-ever Asian Games gold in men's 57kg wrestling, and the 23-year-old is already targeting an Olympic gold next.
Key Takeaways
Aman Sehrawat won gold in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya .
He defeated reigning world champion Han Chong Song of North Korea by 11-7 in a comeback final.
Aman became the first Indian to win gold in the men's 57kg category at the Asian Games.
His coach advised him not to watch any opponent video before the final and to rely on his own style — a strategy he credited for the win.
Aman upgraded his 2022 Asian Games bronze to gold; he also holds a Paris Olympics bronze .
The 23-year-old has now set his sights on converting his Olympic bronze into gold at the next Games.
Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat delivered a stunning comeback at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya to clinch the gold medal in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling category, defeating reigning world champion Han Chong Song of North Korea 11-7 in the final. The 23-year-old became the first Indian wrestler to win gold in the men's 57kg event at the Asian Games, upgrading his bronze from the Hangzhou 2023 edition.
The Final: From Trailing to Triumph
Aman had surged to a 6-1 lead early in the final, but Han mounted a fierce counter-attack, turning the scoreline 7-6 in his favour with under a minute remaining. Many would have buckled under the pressure of facing a reigning world champion with the clock winding down, but the Indian grappler had other ideas.
'It happens a lot in wrestling. This is not the first time that this happened. I was running behind with one minute left. But I was confident that I could attack and score points in the end. I was looking not to give points any further,' Aman said. He executed a sharp late burst to close out the match 11-7 and seal India's gold.
The Coach's Unusual Advice That Changed Everything
In the build-up to the final, Aman revealed that his coach gave him a piece of advice that proved pivotal: avoid watching any opponent or wrestler videos on his mobile phone and instead trust his own natural game.
'My coach told me to fight my own wrestling just like you used to do in other matches. Don't play according to the opponent's wrestling style. I was told not to watch anyone's video on the phone. I was advised to fight in my own way and that I would bring the gold medal. So that's what happened,' Aman said.
The philosophy of backing one's own strengths over opponent analysis is rare in elite combat sport, where video scouting is near-universal. Aman's gold suggests it paid off decisively against one of the world's best.
From Bronze to Gold: A Rapid Rise
Aman's trajectory has been remarkable. He had won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games and followed it with a bronze at the Paris Olympics — making him one of India's most decorated young wrestlers. His Aichi-Nagoya gold is a significant leap in that journey.
Notably, the Paris Olympics bronze already established him as a standout in Indian wrestling at an exceptionally young age. His gold at the 2026 Asian Games now raises the benchmark he has set for himself.
Eyes on Olympic Gold
'I consider this a very proud moment (raising the national flag after winning gold). Now my target remains to feel this moment in the Olympics,' Aman said, making clear that his Asian Games triumph is a stepping stone, not a destination.
With the next Olympic cycle firmly in his sights, Aman Sehrawat's performance in Aichi-Nagoya positions him as one of India's strongest medal hopes in freestyle wrestling at the global stage. His next appearance on the world circuit will be watched closely.
Point of View
With an Asian Games gold and an Olympic bronze already banked, he is on a trajectory that few Indian wrestlers have matched. What stands out, however, is the coaching philosophy: in an era of exhaustive video scouting, his corner chose instinct over data. That gamble worked against a world champion. The real test will be whether this approach holds up across a full Olympic cycle, where opponents will have far more footage on Aman himself to analyse.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aman Sehrawat and what did he win at the 2026 Asian Games?
Aman Sehrawat is a 23-year-old Indian freestyle wrestler who won the gold medal in the men's 57kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He defeated reigning world champion Han Chong Song of North Korea 11-7 in the final, becoming the first Indian to win gold in this category at the Asian Games.
How did Aman Sehrawat come back to win after trailing in the final?
Aman trailed 6-7 with under a minute remaining after Han Chong Song overturned an early 6-1 deficit. He launched a late attacking burst, scoring enough points to close out the match 11-7, crediting his confidence and belief in his ability to score under pressure.
What coaching advice did Aman Sehrawat follow before the final?
Aman's coach advised him not to watch any video of his opponent or any other wrestler on his phone before the final, and instead to wrestle in his own natural style. Aman credited this advice as a key factor in his gold medal performance.
What previous medals has Aman Sehrawat won?
Aman Sehrawat won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. His 2026 Asian Games gold in Aichi-Nagoya is the latest and most significant medal of his career so far.
What is Aman Sehrawat's next target after the Asian Games gold?
Aman has stated that his next target is to win an Olympic gold medal, calling the Asian Games gold a proud moment and expressing his desire to replicate — and surpass — that feeling on the Olympic stage.
