Paris 2024 Olympics wrestling: Spirited Reetika Hooda ousted in quarter-finals after losing to top seed
Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda’s run at the Paris 2024 Olympics wrestling competition ended after losing her quarter-final bout to top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the women’s 76kg division on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Indian wrestler put on a spirited show to lead the reigning Asian champion by a point at the break. However, she conceded a point in the second period and the match ended in a 1-1 tie. Despite the tie, Reetika was edged out on criteria as Kyzy had secured the last point of the bout.
As per wrestling rules, in case of a tie by points, the winner is decided by successive considerations - the highest value of holds; the least amount of cautions; or the last technical point(s) scored.
Reetika's hopes of winning a bronze medal through repechage also dashed following Aiperi Medet Kyzy’s defeat in the semi-finals against the USA’s Kennedy Blades.
In the round of 16, Reetika pulled off a dominant 12-2 victory over Bernadett Nagy of Hungary.
Reetika started the bout cautiously and was put on the passivity clock after the opening minute due to a lack of attacking intent. The Indian wrestler responded with two takedowns and led 4-2 at the break.
Reetika went for an all-out attack in the second period and scored eight quick points to win on technical superiority.
Reetika secured the Paris 2024 quota for India through the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek in April. She won the gold medal at the U23 World Championships last year and a bronze at the senior Asian Championships.
Reetika was the last Indian athlete to compete at Paris 2024. Her exit ended India’s campaign at the Olympics.
Aman Sehrawat’s bronze in the men’s 57kg was the only medal won by India in wrestling at Paris 2024.
Nisha Dahiya (women’s 68kg) was eliminated in the quarter-finals, Vinesh Phogat (women’s 50kg) was disqualified for a failed weigh-in ahead of her final while Antim Panghal (women’s 53kg) and Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg) were knocked out in the opening round.