New Delhi: Young Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda lost her quarterfinal bout in the women’s 76kg category against Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan on Saturday at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in a close fight. Reetika, who became the first Indian wrestler to qualify for the heavyweight category for the Paris Games, started the fight on a good note against the top seed.
In a bout where defensive game was on the song from both Reetika and Aiperi, the two halfs were shared with a point apiece. Reetika took the lead going into the half-time after she was awarded for passivity (lack of action) from Aiperi.
Reetika missed to double the lead in the second bout with the Kyrgyzstan grappler leaving no room for her to attack. Though Aiperi didn’t went for an aggressive gamestyle, the 25-year-old displayed shrewdness to deny he younger opponent the last opportunity to plunder any points. She blocked any areas for an attacking move, including a leg-hold in the dying minutes.
In the meantime, Reetika conceded a point for the same passivity penalty, which earned her the lead. With the final scored locked at 1-1 after the regular six minutes. According to the rules, the wrestler who scored the last point is considered as the winner. In this case, Medet was adjuged the winner after she picked the equaliser with more than a minute left on the clock.
Can Reetika Hooda still win a medal at Paris Olympics?
The 21-year-0ld Reetika Hooda will now wait for the semifinal bout of Aiperi Medet Kyzy against America’s Kennedy Blades. If Aiperi defeats Kennedy Blades and makes it to the final then Reetika will have a shot for a bronze medal by competing in the repechage round. In case Reetika doesn’t get the chance to fight in the repechage round then India’s campaign will end with six medals (five bronze and a silver)
Earlier in the day, Reetika displayed power and skill to outsmart Bernadett Nagy of Hungary 12-2 in the pre-quarterfinals.
Young Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda lost her quarterfinal bout in the women’s 76kg category against Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan on Saturday at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in a close fight. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
