Paris Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Aman Sehrawat prevailed in a bloodied, bruising final to win his first Asian Games gold on Saturday. A bronze medallist in the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, Aman was up against North Korea’s reigning world champion Han Chong-song in the 57kg final, and he survived a series of late leg attacks from his doughty opponent to carve a 11-7 win.
The North Korean appeared to have the advantage of power but Aman showed better mat awareness. Put on passivity early in the first period, Aman made the first move, going for Han’s legs and registering two points. Fifteen seconds into the bout, the referees sought the first of many reviews, a delay that left Aman visibly frustrated. On resumption, he slipped inside Han’s defence and went for his left leg, effecting another two-point throw to go into the break 4-1 up.
Both wrestlers stepped up the tempo in the second period with Aman repeatedly targeting Han’s left leg. Known for his relentless attacks, particularly in the second half, Aman lived up to his reputation in the face of some stout defence from Han. A cut under his left eye failed to deter him as Aman’s single leg takedown left Han in pain. A 6-1 scoreline suggested game over for Han, but he didn’t throw in the towel.
A gut-wrench leading to a two-point takedown and a leg lace meant Han took the score to 5-7. Aman, now having suffered a mouth bleed, thwarted a series of leg attacks and kept the deficit manageable. With 30 seconds to go, the Indian produced to two-point throw and went 10-7 up. In a last throw of dice, Han challenged the move, lost the appeal and a point was awarded to Aman, who safely negotiated the last few seconds to seal the gold with a 11-7 score.
Han, a silver medallist in Hangzhou, retained the medal.
Aman stormed into the final in the morning on the back of commanding wins in all three bouts. The 23-year-old opened his campaign with a 20-9 demolition of Japan’s Yamoto Ogawa before handing Kazakhstan’s Nurdanat Aitanov a 12-1 drubbing. He then handed a 14-8 defeat to Tajikistan’s Aiaal Belolyubskii.