Reetika Hooda, the Indian wrestler, kicked off her Paris Olympics campaign with an impressive display of strength and skill. She dominated Hungary’s Bernadett Nagy in the women’s 76kg freestyle event, securing a 12-2 victory by technical superiority. This win marked a historic moment for Reetika, making her the first Indian woman to qualify for the Olympics in the 76kg category.
Nagy, a two-time European Championships medalist, was no match for Reetika’s experience and prowess on the mat. Her victory was a testament to her dedication and hard work, especially considering she transitioned from the 72kg category to the 76kg category, which is featured in the Olympics, after years of competing at a lower weight class.
Reetika’s journey to the Olympics has been remarkable. She became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships in 2022, defeating the USA’s Kennedy Blades in the final. She also holds bronze medals at the senior Asian Championships and the Under-20 World Championships.
Her next challenge will be a tough one. She will face top-seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy from Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinal later today. This match will be a crucial step in her quest for a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Reetika’s success comes on the heels of Aman Sehrawat’s bronze medal win earlier this week. Sehrawat’s victory secured India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, bringing India’s medal tally to six, just shy of the seven medals won at Tokyo 2020.
Reetika’s journey to the top is an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers across India. Her dedication and hard work, combined with her exceptional talent, make her a force to be reckoned with on the international wrestling stage.
