Reetika Hooda, representing India, faced a tough defeat in the quarterfinal of the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She lost to the top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan by a score of 1-1, with the Kyrgyz wrestler edging out the victory based on criteria. Despite this loss, Hooda still has an opportunity to secure a bronze medal. If Kyzy reaches the final, Hooda will have a chance to compete in the repechage round.
Earlier in the tournament, Hooda displayed impressive strength and skill, overpowering Hungary’s Bernadett Nagy in the round of 16 with a commanding 12-2 technical superiority win. This victory highlighted Hooda’s determination and talent on the international stage.
Hooda’s journey to the Paris Olympics is marked by remarkable achievements. Last year, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships, defeating USA’s Kennedy Blades. She has also secured bronze medals at the senior Asian Championships and the Under-20 World Championships in the 72kg category. Notably, Hooda moved up to the 76kg weight class, which is part of the Olympic lineup, after competing in the lower division for years. Her dedication to the sport is evident in her rigorous training regimen, often sparring with male wrestlers at akharas due to limited female training partners at her level in India.
The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed another milestone for India in wrestling. Aman Sehrawat secured India’s first wrestling medal at the Games on Friday, winning bronze with a decisive 13-5 victory over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz. This victory boosted India’s total medal count to six, just one shy of the seven medals achieved at Tokyo 2020.
