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Reetika Hooda made a strong start to her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign. The Indian wrestler dominated Hungary's Bernadett Nagy to storm into quarterfinal after securing a decisive 12-2 victory by technical superiority in the women's 76kg freestyle event. This impressive win holds historical significance as Hooda became the first Indian woman to qualify for the 76kg category. Overcoming the challenge posed by the two-time European Championships medalist, Nagy, Hooda has advanced to the quarterfinals where she will face top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy from Kyrgyzstan.
The match began with a cautious approach from both wrestlers. Nagy was the first to break the stalemate, attempting a takedown by targeting Reetika's legs. However, the Indian's defensive stance thwarted the attack. Reetika continued to play it safe until the clock triggered a 'hit time' warning for inactivity. Sensing an opportunity, she aggressively initiated a takedown, successfully propelling Nagy to the mat and earning a crucial four points.
Clearly rattled, Nagy attempted to counterattack and regain momentum. Yet, Reetika's agile footwork proved too much for the Hungarian, preventing any significant scoring opportunities. As the first period concluded, the Indian maintained her lead. The second half of the match witnessed intense grappling between the two wrestlers. Both athletes exchanged takedown attempts, with Reetika maintaining a slight advantage, leading 6-2 with two minutes remaining.
Nagy struggled to match Reetika's superior skill, allowing the Indian to execute takedowns at will. With less than a minute on the clock, Reetika had extended her lead to a comfortable eight points. Despite Nagy's determination, Reetika's dominance was evident as she added two more points to secure a decisive 12-2 victory by technical superiority.
Reetika Hooda has a strong track record of success in wrestling. In a historic achievement, she became the first Indian woman to clinch a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships last year. Her opponent in the final, Kennedy Blades, would later represent the USA at the Olympics. Additionally, Hooda boasts impressive bronze medals from the senior Asian Championships and the Under-20 World Championships (72kg category).
Reetika Hooda's journey to the 76kg category is noteworthy. Having spent several years competing in the 72kg weight class, she made a strategic transition to the Olympic category of 76kg. Due to the scarcity of female training partners at her level in India, Hooda has honed her skills by sparring with male wrestlers at akharas.
Earlier on Friday, India's wrestling contingent achieved a significant milestone. Aman Sehrawat clinched the bronze medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz by a convincing score of 13-5. This victory marked India's first wrestling medal at the Games and brought the country's overall medal tally to six, just one short of the seven medals won at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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