India’s hopes for a medal in the women’s 68kg wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024 took a blow on Monday when Nisha Dahiya suffered a finger dislocation during her quarterfinal match. The Indian wrestler was in a commanding position, leading 8-1 in the second round, when she requested a stoppage to receive treatment for the injury. Despite the discomfort, she continued the bout after receiving medical attention. However, shortly after, Nisha signaled for the physiotherapist again, this time expressing pain in her shoulder. Though she soldiered on after the second intervention, her movement was noticeably restricted.
Pak, her opponent from North Korea, capitalized on Nisha’s weakened state and managed to close the score gap. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Pak secured the winning takedown, securing a 10-8 victory. An emotional Nisha was visibly distraught after the match and had to be escorted out of the arena by her coaches.
While her Olympic journey has taken a setback, Nisha still has a chance to compete for a bronze medal. If Pak progresses to the final by winning her semifinal match, Nisha will be eligible to participate in the repechage round. The outcome of that round will determine if Nisha can salvage a medal from her Paris Olympics campaign.
