Reetika Hooda eliminated from Paris Olympics, misses out on wrestling repechage round

Aiperi Medet Kyzy’s 6-8 loss to Kennedy Blades in the semifinals of the women’s 76kg freestyle event sealed Reetika’s fate.

Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda has bowed out of the Olympics. | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Reetika Hooda’s Olympic hopes briefly flickered at the Champ-de-Mars stadium in Paris on Saturday but ultimately faded when Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy, who defeated her in the quarterfinals of the women’s 76kg category, lost 6-8 to Kennedy Blades of the USA in the semifinals.

Kyzy’s loss meant that Reetika did not make it to the repechage round for a bronze medal on the final day of competition at the 2024 Olympics. With Reetika’s exit, India’s Olympic campaign officially ended with one day of competition still remaining.

Although her quarterfinal match against Kyzy was tied 1-1 at the end of six minutes, it was the Kyrgyzstan wrestler who advanced to the semifinal by securing the final point. 

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Promising start

Reetika had started her competition well. The 21-year-old, who had won an Under-23 World Championship gold last year, beat two-time European medallist Bernadette Nagy 8-2 in the first round.

The matchup against the current world silver medallist, Kyzy, was expected to be the hardest for Reetika, and it was exactly that. Reetika was the more aggressive of the two throughout the bout and forced a passivity warning against the Kyrgyz wrestler within the first few minutes. With Kyzy conceding the point for 30 seconds of inactivity, the Indian entered the break with a 1-0 lead. However, she was unable to build on that.

Barest of margin

Both wrestlers struggled to secure a hold. And despite forcing the pace, it was Reetika who was put on the shot clock this time. With a couple of minutes to go, she failed to score and conceded a point.

Reetika’s relentless efforts failed to secure the decisive point as Kyzy defended stoutly. As time ran out, with neither managing to score through offence, it was Kyzy who advanced to the next round.

At that moment, Reetika’s hopes hinged on her former opponent winning the next bout — against a wrestler Reetika had defeated in the U-23 World Championship final last year. However, two takedowns in the final half not only secured the victory for Blades but also robbed India of a chance to add to its six medals [one silver and five bronze] in this edition.