Reetika Hooda kicked off her Paris Olympics journey with an impressive display of skill and determination, dominating Hungary’s Bernadett Nagy in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling event. The match concluded with a score of 12-2, showcasing Reetika’s technical superiority and securing her place in the quarterfinals later today.
Historic Achievement
This victory is particularly significant as Reetika Hooda has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the 76kg category in the Olympics. Her opponent, Nagy, is a two-time European Championships medallist, but she was unable to match Reetika’s prowess on the mat. Following this triumph, Reetika is set to face top-seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy from Kyrgyzstan, who is expected to pose a formidable challenge.
Reetika’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by remarkable achievements. Last year, she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships, defeating the USA’s Kennedy Blades, who later earned a spot on the USA Olympic team. In addition to her gold medal, Reetika has also secured bronze medals at the senior Asian Championships and the Under-20 World Championships in the 72kg category.
Transitioned Category
Notably, Reetika has transitioned from the 72kg to the 76kg category, which is featured in the Olympics. This shift comes after years of competing in a lower weight class. To enhance her skills, she often trains with male wrestlers at local akharas, as there is a scarcity of female practice partners at her level in India.
Hooda’s impressive performance comes on the heels of Aman Sehrawat’s bronze medal win in the men’s 57kg category, India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris Olympics. This takes India’s overall medal tally to six, just one short of the nation’s haul at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
All eyes are now on Reetika Hooda as she aims to continue her winning streak and bring home a medal for India. With her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, the young wrestler has the potential to create history once again.
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