NEW DELHI: Aman Sehrawat, bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics, was banned for a year on Tuesday by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
This marks the first instance in Indian sports history where an Olympic medallist has been banned by the home federation for ‘indiscipline’.
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Aman was banned following his disqualification from the recent World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb (Croatia), after failing to make weight ahead of his opening bout against Vladimir Erogov of North Macedonia in the men’s freestyle 57kg category.
He was found overweight by 1. 7kg at the weigh-in.
Consequently, the 22-year-old two-time junior world champion will miss the Asian Games in Japan next year, as his ban period will overlap with the multi-disciplinary continental event’s dates. The Asiad 2026 will run from Sept 19 to Oct 4. Aman’s ban period will run from Sept 23, 2025 to Sept 22, 2026. His entry for the Games will not be sent to the organisers, as Aman will not be allowed to appear for the trials.
Aman was issued a show-cause notice by the federation on Sept 23, upon his return to India from Zagreb. He was told to explain his negligence in failing to make weight, with the WFI considering disciplinary action.
The four men’s freestyle coaches, who accompanied the Indian contingent to the championships, were also served show-cause notices for their failure to address the recurring issue of weight mismanagement among Indian wrestlers.
The support staff included chief men’s freestyle coach Jagminder Singh, Virendra, Narender and Vinod. Aman and coaches were told to submit their responses by Sept 29 to the federation.
A formal hearing was held at WFI’s office here on Oct 5. It was attended by federation president Sanjay Singh, selection committee members, medical team, Aman and coaching staff. After the meeting, Aman’s response was found unsatisfactory and the ban was imposed on him.
The coaches were let off with a ‘warning’.
In its suspension letter issued on Tuesday, WFI stated that Aman’s indiscretion “tarnished the image of the nation on the global stage”.
“Your (Aman) reply, dated Sept 29, 2025, was duly reviewed by the WFI’s disciplinary committee. Additionally, clarifications were obtained from the chief coach and supporting coaching staff. Upon thorough examination, the committee found your response unsatisfactory and has resolved to impose strict disciplinary action.
Accordingly, you are, hereby, suspended from all wrestling-related activities, both at the national and international level, for a period of one (1) year, effective from the date of the show-cause notice,” read the letter signed by Singh.
“The suspension is on the following grounds: You were deputed to attend the accumulation camp at Porec, Croatia, commencing from Aug 25, 2025, providing sufficient time to maintain your weight and fitness.
Despite reporting 18 days prior to your scheduled bout, you were disqualified from the championship due to being overweight by 1. 7 kg. As an Olympic medallist, WFI holds you to the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and commitment. 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, causing disappointment among the wrestling fraternity and supporters,” the letter added.
Singh said the decision of the committee was “final and binding”. “You failed to maintain the prescribed weight category (57 kg) for which you were officially selected, thereby depriving India of a potential medal opportunity and causing significant financial loss due to the expenditure incurred by the govt of India for your participation and training. This decision is final and binding. During the period of suspension, you are barred from participating in or associating with any activities organised or sanctioned by WFI at both national and international levels,” the letter stated.
Aman, who was hailed as the successor of Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya, was a top medal contender for India at the World Championships, having secured bronze at the Ulaanbaatar Open ranking series in June and gold at the Yasar Dogu invitational in Aug ahead of the championships. While a two-kg weight tolerance is allowed for World Cups, UWW ranking series and other international competitions, no such rule exists for the World and Olympics.
Earlier, the federation had banned Neha Sangwan for two years after she was disqualified from the U20 wrestling Worlds in Bulgaria for being overweight by 700g in the women’s 59kg category.
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