Weigh-ins are a routine procedure in wrestling, but ever since Vinesh Phogat missed making weight by just 100 grams, the process has come under renewed scrutiny. Despite her best efforts, including cutting her hair, Phogat was unable to meet the weight requirement. In contrast, Aman Sehrawat, a wrestler who clinched an Olympic bronze on Friday, shed 4.6 kg in a single night to stay eligible for the 57 kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Age and Metabolism: Key Factors in Weight Loss
It’s important to consider that while Vinesh is 29, Aman is only 21, and younger athletes often have a faster metabolism. Additionally, weight loss varies from person to person. In Aman’s case, he was 4.5 kg over the permissible limit on Thursday night after his semi-final defeat, which had secured him a spot in the bronze medal match.
The Race Against Time: 10 Hours to Shed 4.5 kg
With weigh-ins now conducted on both days of competition, Aman and his team had just 10 hours to lose the excess 4.5 kg, a challenge they successfully met. The process began with a one-and-a-half-hour mat session focused on standing wrestling, followed by a one-hour hot-bath session.
Intensive Weight-Loss Regimen: Wrestling, Sauna, and Running
Following the mat session and hot bath, Aman headed to the gym, where he ran on the treadmill for one hour without pause. He was then given a 30-minute break before undergoing five sessions of a five-minute sauna bath, a favored method for rapid weight loss due to its ability to induce sweating.
Final Push: Jogging and Light Training to Meet the Limit
Even after these intense efforts, Aman was still 900 grams over the limit. After a light massage, he engaged in light jogging, followed by five 15-minute training sessions. These final steps allowed him to shed the remaining weight, bringing his total to 56.9 kg—100 grams below the permissible limit.
Maintaining Energy and Hydration During the Process
To sustain his energy and keep him hydrated during the weight-loss process, Aman was given lukewarm water mixed with lemon and honey, as well as some coffee. Notably, he remained awake throughout the entire process.
