Aman Sehrawat with Dilip Joshi© Instagram

After his playful ‘choorma banter’ with javelin star Neeraj Chopra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared another lighthearted moment, this time with Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning wrestler Aman Sehrawat. During an interaction with the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence, PM Modi congratulated Aman on becoming India’s youngest Olympic medallist. The Prime Minister, with a broad smile, then asked Aman if he had any of his favourite food after returning from Paris. The 21-year-old Haryana native smiled and replied, “I haven’t gone home yet, sir.”

PM Modi quipped, “Humein bolte, hum banwa dete kuch” (You should’ve told us; we could’ve made something for you!)

Aman, in his typical Haryanvi accent, responded with simplicity, “Ghar jake choorma toh khaange hi (Once I’m home, I’ll definitely have choorma).

Sehrawat, who lost his parents at a tender age of 10, trains and resides at New Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 to win the bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena and extended India’s wrestling medal streak at the Olympics, which began at the Beijing Games in 2008.

He joined Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia as India’s Olympics medallist wrestlers.

Earlier, PM Modi had a candid moment with silver medallist Neeraj Chopra during an interaction with athletes ahead of their departure for the Paris Games.

During their humorous banter, PM Modi joked, “Mera choorma abhi tak aaya nahi” (I haven’t received my churma yet), sparking laughter all around.

With a shy smile, Neeraj replied, “Is baar Haryana wala choorma khilayenge sir, pichli baar Delhi ka cheeni wala khaya tha (This time I will treat you with churma from Haryana; last time we had the sugary one from Delhi).”

The Prime Minister eagerly expressed his craving for homemade churma, saying, “Mujhe tumhari maa ke haath ka choorma khana hai” (I want to savour churma made by your mother).

Later, Neeraj’s mother Saroj Devi promised PM Modi that she will send a special ‘choorma’ (a popular delicacy from Haryana and Rajasthan) for him.

The Indian contingent ended Paris Olympics 2024 with six medals – one lesser than their tally at the previous Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. It was a mixed show from India as multiple athletes finished 4th in their respective categories and missed out on a medal by the smallest of margins. Shooter Manu Bhaker was the top performer with two medals – a unique feat by an athlete from independent India – while Neeraj Chopra claimed the sliver medal in men’s javelin throw. The Indian men’s hockey team claimed their second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics thanks to a great show by skipper Harmanpreet Singh. A look at all the cash prizes that the Paris Olympics 2024 medalists will receive –

Manu Bhaker (Shooting)

Manu Bhaker scripted history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in the same edition of the Olympics. She was awarded a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya. The 22-year-old was also one of India’s flag bearers at the Paris Olympics 2024 closing ceremony.

Sarabjot Singh (Shooting)

Sarabjot Singh won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Manu Bhaker. The 22-year-old from Ambala was awarded a Rs 22.5 lakh cheque by Mansukh Mandaviya through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ cash award scheme. He was also offered a job by the Haryana government as a show of appreciation but he decided to decline the offer.

Swapnil Kusale (Shooting)

Swapnil Kusale became the first Indian shooter ever to win bronze in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position event at the Olympics. Following his success, Swapnil was appointed as an offer on special duty by the Central Railway. He also received a prize of Rs 1 crore from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Indian men’s hockey team

The Indian men’s hockey team won their second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics after defeating Spain 2-1. It was the perfect farewell for goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who was also one of the flag bearers in the closing ceremony. Hockey India has announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each member of the team and Rs 7.5 lakh for each member of the support staff. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi has announced a prize of Rs 4 crore for defender Amit Rohidas. He also announced a prize of Rs 15 lakh for each player and Rs 10 lakh for each support staff member. In Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a prize of Rs 1 crore for all squad members from the state. That also included captain Harmapreet Singh who was the top-scorer at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)

Neeraj Chopra claimed silver at the Paris Olympics 2024 javelin throw event with the gold medal going to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem who broke the Olympic record with a monster 92.97m throw. While no official announcement has been made about Neeraj’s cash prizes, it is expected that he will receive multiple awards from various sources. In 2021, when he claimed gold at the Tokyo Olympics, he was awarded a cash prize of Rs 6 crore by the Haryana Government.

Aman Sehrawat (Wrestling)

Aman Sehrawat was the only Indian wrestler to win a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 as he claimed bronze in the 57m freestyle event. He also became the youngest Indian athlete to win an Olympics medal. No official announcement has been made about the cash prizes he will receive.

Aman Sehrawat won wrestling bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024© AFP

Grappler Aman Sehrawat became India’s youngest ever Olympic medallist by clinching the 57kg free-style category bronze less than a month after his 21st birthday to complete a memorable Games debut and lift the sagging spirits of the controversy-hit national wrestling contingent on Friday. Sehrawat, who turned 21 on July 16, notched up a commanding 13-5 win over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz in a high-intensity third-place contest.

Before him, the celebrated P V Sindhu held the title of being India’s youngest Olympic podium finisher after she claimed a silver in the 2016 Games at the age of 21 years, one month and 14 days.

Sehrawat has not even completed a month since turning 21. His effort helped India win its sixth medal and move closer to the Tokyo Games tally of seven. The country has so far secured one silver and five bronze, including today’s medal.

“It’s been a long time since I won a medal for my country. I had to do something about it. I would like to say to the people of India that I will definitely win a gold for you in 2028,” the youngster, who was raised by his grandfather after losing his parents as a child, said after his triumph.

“The target was gold but I had to be content with bronze this time. I had to forget the semifinal defeat. I told myself, let it go and focus on next. Sushil pehlawan ji won two medals, I will win in 2028 and then in 2032 also,” he added enthusiastically.

The U-23 world champion was the lone Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Paris Games and he did not disappoint. Wrestling has not missed a medal at the Olympics since 2008 and Sehrawat’s effort ensured the streak remained unbroken.

Sushil Kumar broke the glass ceiling by winning the bronze in Beijing (2008), and since then Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), Sakshi Malik (2016), Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia (2021) have kept the tradition intact.

Coach Jagmender Singh and Virender Dahiya said they spent a sleepless night to monitor Sehrawat’s weight.

“We took special precautions to reduce his weight. We kept checking his weight every hour. We didn’t sleep the whole night,” Dahiya said.

Lifts spirits of wrestling contingent

A lot was expected from women wrestlers but Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Nisha Dahiya (68kg) could not reach the medal rounds in their respective categories.

On the other hand, Vinesh Phogat (50kg) lost despite entering the final as she was disqualified from the gold-medal bout for being 100gm overweight.

The disqualification led to a huge uproar in the country and Vinesh has challenged her ouster in the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The hearing concluded on Friday and a decision is expected by Sunday evening.

Teenager Panghal also landed herself in trouble for sending her sister to the Games Village on her accreditation card. She was deported along with her entourage on Thursday after a first-round loss.

Shows off aggressive moves

It was a fast-paced bout with quick moves from the two rival wrestlers.

Once Sehrawat got a measure of his opponent, he did not give much of a chance to the Puerto Rican.

He built a healthy 6-3 lead by the end of first period with consecutive takedown moves.

As is usually the case, Sehrawat, who thrives on a high-endurance game, first tried to wear down his opponent and then went for the kill.

With dominating technical-superiority wins over Vladimir Egorov and Zelimkhan Abakarov, the Indian wrestler stormed into the semifinals without conceding a single point but was no match for Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the semifinals.

Tough beginning

Having lost his parents at a tender age of 11, the famed Chhatrasal stadium — where his father had enrolled him in 2013 — became Sehrawat’s second home.

The stadium that became his shelter was the one gave India four Olympic medallists — Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya.

And Sehrawat ensured that he joined the roll of honour as the youngest among the giants who did it before him.

Reetika Hooda (76kg) will be in action on Saturday, and if she wins a medal, India will match its Tokyo tally.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian grappler Aman Sehrawat for clinching the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics.

Mr Sehrawat, making his Olympic debut, secured the medal with a 13-5 victory over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz on Friday, marking India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

PM Modi praised him for his “dedication and perseverance” in a post on X.

More pride thanks to our wrestlers!

Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2024

“More pride thanks to our wrestlers! Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat,” PM Modi wrote.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah also lauded Mr Sehrawat for his achievement.

“Congratulations, Aman! With your remarkable perseverance and strength, you have secured the Bronze Medal for India in the wrestling match at the #ParisOlympics2024. The nation is proud of your achievement,” Amit Shah wrote in a post on X.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed his pride in Mr Sehrawat’s accomplishment.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for clinching the Bronze Medal in Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics! Your grit and determination have brought glory to on the world stage. You’ve made the nation proud with your remarkable achievement, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams,” Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X.

During the match, the Puerto Rican grappler initially gained the lead by securing a point with a single-leg hold. However, Mr Sehrawat came back strong, scoring points by targeting Darian Cruz’s shoulders.

After Darian Cruz took the lead with a two-point move, Mr Sehrawat regained control. With 37 seconds left, he secured additional points and won the bout with technical superiority as Mr Cruz attempted a desperate move and conceded another point.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India’s Full Schedule At Olympics , August 9: Aman Sehrawat© AFP