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Nisha Dahiya became the fifth Indian women wrestler to confirm a 2024 Paris Olympics quota after prevailing over her Romanian opponent Alexandra Anghel. The Indian women wrestler successfully came out on top in her 68kg semifinals bout at the ongoing World Olympic Qualifiers, underway in Istanbul.
The World U-23 bronze medallist and Asian Championships silver medallist beat her opponent by 8-4 margin. The Indian went up to take 8-0 lead with some attacks. The second period, which was all about defence saw Nisha struggle a bit. Here the Romanian launched some attack and even went for a kill, but Nisha escaped the fall a freed herself.
With several seconds remaining, the Indian controlled her lead and eventually overcome the Romanian challenge to seal the finals berth and secure the 2024 Paris Olympics berth. Notably after confirming the fifth qualification for the 2024 Paris, it will be the first time that India will have five women wrestlers at the quadrennial event. She will join the likes of Antim Phangal (53kg), Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg) and Reetika Hooda (76kg) for the quadrennial tournament.
The 25-year-old Indian wrestler earlier defeated Belarusian teenager Alina Shauchuk by 3-0 margin by points to confirm a place in the quarterfinals. She then beat the ninth ranked wrestler, Czech Republic’s Adela Hanzlickova on points 7-4 to advance to the semifinals.
