Reetika Hooda's Olympic Medal Dream Still Alive

Reetika Hooda, the last Indian athlete competing at the Paris Olympics 2024, carries the nation's final hopes for a medal in women's wrestling. Despite facing a setback in the quarter-finals, Hooda's Olympic journey may not be over yet, thanks to the unique structure of Olympic wrestling competitions.

The Path to Bronze: Understanding Repechage

In Olympic wrestling, two bronze medals are awarded in each weight category. One goes to a semi-final loser, while the other is determined through the repechage round. This system gives wrestlers like Hooda a second chance at glory. The repechage round involves all wrestlers who lost to the two finalists. These athletes compete in a series of matches, with the winner earning a coveted bronze medal. This format has previously benefited India, as seen when Sakshi Malik won bronze through repechage in a past Olympics.

Hooda's Olympic Journey So Far 

Reetika Hooda made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the women's 76kg wrestling category at the Olympics. She started strong with a victory against Bernadette Nagy but then faced a tough opponent in the quarter-finals.

Hooda lost to the top-seeded Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in a close match that ended 1-1, with Kyzy winning on criteria. Despite this loss, Hooda's Olympic dream remains alive, contingent on Kyzy's performance in the semi-finals.

The Road Ahead for Hooda

For Hooda to enter the repechage round, Medet Kyzy must win her semi-final match and advance to the final. If this happens, Hooda will get another chance to fight for a bronze medal. This opportunity is crucial not just for Hooda but for India's entire women's wrestling campaign at these Olympics.

Indian Wrestling's Mixed Fortunes in Paris

The Paris Olympics have been a rollercoaster for Indian wrestling. Aman Sehrawat provided a bright spot by winning bronze in the men's 57kg freestyle category, becoming India's lone male wrestling medalist at the event. However, the women's side has faced challenges. Vinesh Phogat came tantalizingly close to a gold medal match but was disqualified for being slightly overweight. She has since appealed for a joint silver medal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, adding another layer of drama to India's wrestling story in Paris. 

A Nation's Hopes Rest on Hooda

If Reetika Hooda fails to advance in the repechage round, it would mean none of India's six women wrestlers at the Paris Olympics will return with a medal. This outcome would be disappointing for a nation with a rich wrestling tradition.

However, the possibility of Hooda winning a bronze through repechage keeps hope alive. Her potential success would not only be a personal triumph but also a significant boost for women's wrestling in India, possibly inspiring the next generation of female wrestlers to dream big.

As the wrestling events at Paris 2024 draw to a close, all eyes are on Reetika Hooda and her potential path through the repechage round. Her journey embodies the Olympic spirit of perseverance and the unpredictable nature of sports, where hope can emerge even after initial setbacks for women's wrestling in India, possibly inspiring the next generation of female wrestlers to dream big.