New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
From enduring three surgeries and nearly quitting wrestling to earning a place in India’s Greco-Roman squad for his Asian Games debut, 20-year-old Aman has battled through a difficult physical and mental journey to chase continental glory.
The youngest wrestler in India’s Greco-Roman contingent, Aman suffered a serious right knee injury in 2023, days after competing at the U-17 World Championships in August. He underwent ACL surgery within a week, but his recovery was complicated by a knee infection that required another operation. Before he could fully regain his rhythm, he suffered another ACL injury in the same knee, forcing a third surgery.
“Training is going well right now. This is my first Asian Games, so I am feeling very excited about it. This is a big moment for me. But the last few years have not been easy for me. I have had three surgeries. It was a very hard phase, both mentally and physically. But now my body is feeling good, I am training well, and I just want to give my best at the Games,” Aman said.
Looking back, Aman admitted that his eagerness to return to competition led him to accelerate his recovery.
“I was young, and I had that jawani ka josh (youthful exuberance); I thought I would get back on the mat quickly and return straight to my peak. That was a mistake, mine and the doctor’s both. Because of that, I got a knee infection, and I needed another surgery to fix it,” he said.
He returned to training in April 2024, but barely a week later suffered another ACL injury, again in the same knee. The setback kept him away from wrestling for nearly a year.
During that period, his parents urged him to concentrate on his studies, fearing further injuries could derail his future. Aman came close to walking away from the sport, but his coach and roommate continued to encourage him to persevere.
“There was a time when I felt like quitting because of back-to-back injuries. Even my parents told me, ab padhai pe dhyan do (focus on your studies now), because they were worried about seeing me get hurt so many times. But my coach and my roommate did not let me think like that. They kept telling me, ‘You will come back; just give it time’. They pushed me every single day to get back on the mat,” he said.
His return brought an immediate reward when he won a gold medal in the senior category.
“That medal meant a lot to me; it showed me that all the hard work was worth it,” Aman said.
Wrestling runs in Aman’s family. His father was also a wrestler but could not progress far due to a lack of support and guidance. He introduced Aman to the sport and initially trained him himself on a ground near their village before sending him to an academy when he realised his son was serious about wrestling.
“My father was also a wrestler, but he could not go far in the sport because he did not get the support at that time. He is the one who got me into wrestling; he is the reason I am here today,” Aman said.
Backed by the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Aman has set his sights on an Olympic gold medal but remains focused on taking his career one step at a time.
“My big dream is to win a gold medal at the Olympics. But I know it is a step-by-step process. Right now, my target is to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. After that, I want to win gold at the Senior World Championships. Then I will prepare for the Olympics. I am not thinking too far ahead; I am just taking one day at a time,” he said.
Aman also credited IIS for supporting his rehabilitation, training and competition requirements.
“IIS has helped me a lot. Whenever I needed to travel for training or competitions, they always supported me. Physiotherapy, supplements, whatever I have needed, they have given it to me. They have helped me in every way and taken care of everything I needed,” he said.
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