'Likely to face suspension': Big blow for India as Aman Sehrawat disqualified at World Championships for embarrassing reason

India suffered a big setback at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb on Sunday as Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat was disqualified. Aman, who was one of India’s strongest medal hopes in the men’s 57kg freestyle category, forfeited his match against Vladimir Erogov of North Macedonia.

The 22-year-old was disqualified for being overweight. Aman missed weight by 1 kg 700 gm and could not take part in the competition. It is an embarrassing and disappointing reason because wrestlers are always aware that they must stay within the weight limit to be eligible for the competition in the first place.

Aman’s personal coach Lalit Prasad explained that the wrestler fell sick just before the weigh-in and couldn’t undertake the process that is necessary for weight reduction. “He had fever the night before and could not cut weight,” Prasad told The Indian Express.

Aman likely to face suspension

Officials in the Indian camp said they were shocked by the development. “It’s unfortunate and surprising that Aman could not maintain his weight. He was overweight by 1700 grams when he stood in the weight scale. This is not acceptable, actually. How did he get so much extra weight is beyond us,” a source within the Indian contingent told PTI.

A top WFI official told Times of India that Aman may face a ban upon his return to India. The official cited the example of Neha Sangwan, who was disqualified from the U20 World Wrestling Championships in Samokov last month after weighing 600 grams more than the limit of her women’s 59kg category.

“Aman is likely to face suspension upon return to India. He was a top medal contender at the Worlds. How could he be overweight by 1 kg 700 gms…this is unacceptable. Recently, the federation had suspended Neha Sangwan for returning overweight by 700 gms at the U20 World Wrestling Championships, which led to her disqualification. Neha was banned for two years. The yardsticks are the same for everyone. Aman is also likely to face a similar ban,” the WFI official said.

Aman had been with the rest of the Indian squad in Zagreb since August 25 for a training camp to get used to the conditions. The government had reportedly spent around 7-8 lakh on Aman alone for his training and stay in Zagreb. This is not the first or second such case for Indian wrestling. In the past, Vinesh Phogat was also disqualified at the Paris Olympics 2024 final after missing weight.