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Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda went down to Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling quarterfinal at Paris Olympics 2024 . Reetika, who is India’s sixth and final wrestler at the Summer Games 2024 was defeated by her top-seeded counterpart with a scoreline of 1-1. The game started with both the wrestlers having equal control over the bout. The Indian got the first point and gained an early dominance over her rival in the first half.
In the second period, Medet Kyzy opened her account and equalled the point tally in the exciting clash. While Reetika gave a tough fight to Kyzy and kept the score tied, the result went in the favour of the latter, owing to the advantage. However, the Indian's campaign at Paris isn't over yet as she still has a chance of competing in the repechage round, should Aiperi Kyzy clinches a final spot.
Reetika’s rival Medet Kyzy is a two-time Asian champion and the World Championships 2023 silver medallist. Reetika was the last wrestler and possibly India's last medal hope at the 33rd edition of the quadrennial tournament. Notably, the 22-year-old began her campaign against Bernadett Nagy of Hungary and registered a 12-2 win over her rival to make it to the quarterfinal round.
The quarterfinal saw the referee ending the contest 29 seconds before the second round concluded as Reetika took a 10-point lead. In the first round, the Indian grappler gained the upper hand with a 4-0 lead in the first round. Reetika dominated the mat in the second round with a series of two-pointers, while the Hungarian player managed to come up with a few points. Talking about Reetika, last year, she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships after beating USA’s Kennedy Blades.
She also won bronze medals at the senior Asian Championships and the U-20 World Championships in the 72kg category. The Haryana-born transitioned from the 72 kg category to the 76 kg category as it is featured in the Olympics.
