Indian wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal have been seeded for the Paris Olympics, setting the stage for their medal chances. Aman is seeded #6 in the men’s 57kg freestyle, while Antim is seeded #4 in the women’s 53kg category. The top-8 wrestlers in each weight category have been allotted seeds, giving Aman and Antim a clearer path to the medal rounds. This marks the first time wrestling will have seedings at the Olympics, adding a new dimension to the competition.
For Aman, being seeded sixth places him in the bottom half of the draw, where he may face tough opponents such as Japan’s Rei Higuchi and Armenia’s Arsen Harutyunyan. A potential quarterfinal against Harutyunyan and a semifinal against Higuchi could challenge Aman on his quest for a medal. On the other hand, Antim’s #4 seeding paves a smoother path to the medal rounds, avoiding top contenders like Akari Fujinami and Emma Malmgren.
Both wrestlers have a shot at bronze if they reach the semifinals. Their performances at the 2023 World Championships, 2024 Continental Championships, and recent Ranking Series events have earned them the seeds. However, the other Indian wrestlers heading to Paris, including Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik, are unseeded and will face tough opposition without the advantage of seeding.
While Aman and Antim prepare for their Olympic journey, Vinesh recently won the Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing her form ahead of the Games. The lack of seeding for Vinesh poses a challenge, but her experience and past performances could still make her a strong contender for a medal. With just a few weeks left until the wrestling events kick off in Paris, Indian wrestling fans are eagerly awaiting the performances of their athletes on the global stage.
