Published By: Sayan Guha

Aman Sehrawat Becomes India’s Youngest Olympic Medallist at 21: Meet the Next Five Youngest Medallists

As Aman Sehrawat becomes India's youngest Olympic medallist at just 21, we reflect on his journey and celebrate other young Indian athletes who made their mark on the global stage at their time.

Aman Sehrawat, at just 21 years and 24 days, made history by becoming the youngest Indian Olympic medallist in an exciting turn of events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Aman's path to the podium, which included difficult matches and memorable moments, was an emotional ride. He ended victorious in the highly competitive men's 57kg freestyle wrestling event with a bronze.

A remarkable campaign

Aman had a spectacular start to his Olympic journey by displaying his skill on the mat in the opening battle. His technical dominance in the early rounds helped him win his first fight against Vladimir Egorov of North Macedonia in less than four minutes. In another masterclass, Aman cranked up the heat in the second round to win 12-0 over Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania in his quarterfinal match.

But there were hurdles on the way to gold. Aman met Japan's Rei Higuchi in the semifinals, where the experienced Japanese player outwitted the young Indian with a victory based on technical dominance. Even after the disappointment, Aman didn't give up. In the bronze medal match the next day, he returned with a fury, defeating Darian Toi Cruz of Puerto Rico 13-5 and earning a podium spot.

Aman's win is a significant turning point for Indian sports and a personal achievement. At the age of 21, he surpassed the record formerly held by PV Sindhu, who won the silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics just a few weeks older than him. Aman's victory cemented his position in Indian sports history and gave his country its sixth medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The legacy of young Indian medallists

The achievements of Aman Sehrawat shed attention on the legacy of young Indian athletes who have succeeded at the Olympics. These five competitors behind Aman, who were all under 24 at the time of their triumphs, have motivated and inspired millions of people in addition to winning an Olympic medal.

PV Sindhu (21 years, 1 month, 14 days)

PV Sindhu's Rio 2016 Olympics silver medal was a landmark achievement for Indian badminton. At just 21, she competed against the greatest in the world, winning a thrilling match against Carolina Marin of Spain. Though she nearly lost out on gold, Sindhu's performance transformed Indian badminton, giving her a household brand and encouraging numerous aspiring players.

Saina Nehwal (22 years, 4 months, 18 days)

Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic badminton medal four years before Sindhu's achievement, taking home a bronze medal in London in 2012. Her triumph marked a turning point in Indian sports and opened doors for upcoming badminton players. Even though Saina's opponent's injury resulted in a default victory, her bronze medal at the age of 22 was a well-deserved testament to her ability and perseverance.

Manu Bhaker (22 years, 5 months, 10 days)

Shooter Manu Bhaker, who is just 22, increased India's medal tally with two bronze medals at the ongoing 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Her successes in the mixed and women's 10m air pistol competitions showed her accuracy and determination. Manu is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting, and her accomplishment is historic.

Vijender Singh (22 years, 9 months, 24 days)

Vijender Singh made history in 2008 when he became the first boxer from India to win an Olympic medal. His bronze medal in the men's middleweight division at the 2008 Olympics was a turning point for Indian boxing and motivated a new generation of fighters.

Leander Paes (23 years, 1 month, 17 days)

Leander Paes' tennis bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was a historic event for Indian sports. His triumph ended India's 44-year individual Olympic medal drought and paved the way for more Indian tennis successes. Paes became a national hero because of his perseverance in getting to the podium despite a wrist injury.