Paris 2024: Reetika Hooda's Olympic Campaign Ends, India Concludes with Six Medals

Reetika Hooda's journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics came to an end after a closely contested quarter-final loss to Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the 76kg freestyle wrestling category. The bout ended in a 1-1 draw, with Kyzy advancing based on criteria. India's hopes for another wrestling medal were dashed as Reetika did not qualify for the repechage round after Kyzy was defeated in the semi-finals by American Kennedy Alexis Blades.

This marks the conclusion of India's campaign at the Paris Olympics with a total of six medals—five bronze and one silver—falling just one short of their tally from the Tokyo Games. Despite a valiant effort, India could not secure a gold medal this time.

Reetika, who was a rare Indian representative in the higher weight class, showed remarkable resilience throughout the tournament. She began her campaign with a dominant 12-2 victory over Hungarian Bernadett Nagy. However, she faced a tougher challenge against Kyzy, a two-time World Championships medallist and reigning Asian Games champion.

In the quarter-final match, both wrestlers scored points on passivity, with Kyzy's later point securing her the win. Reetika’s determined performance, particularly in defense, was commendable, but it was not enough to overcome her more experienced opponent.

India's national wrestling coach, Virender Singh Dahiya, expressed disappointment, noting that while Reetika fought well against a seasoned competitor, winning requires more than just defense.

Reetika Hooda, 21, has made significant strides in the 76kg weight division, a category where India previously lacked Olympic representation. She won the U-23 World Championships gold last year and earned her place at the Paris Olympics by winning the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. Her performance at the Olympics, despite the outcome, highlights her potential and the progress of Indian wrestling on the global stage.