Know how can Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda still earn an Olympic medal despite quarterfinal loss

New Delhi: First Indian wrestler to qualify for heavyweight class of 76 kg, Reetika Hooda, lost the quarterfinal bout against top-seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in women’s 76 kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics on Saturday. In a closely-fought contest lasting six minutes, Reetika took the initial lead but Kyzy came back bouncing to equalise the score, with the contest ending at 1-1.

According to the rules, Kyrgyzstan’s wrestler was declared the winner as she scored the last point. Both wrestlers played a defensive game and the solitary point each was scored through passivity across the two periods. Reetika is the first Indian to qualify for the heavyweight class of 76kg. She had previously contested in the 72kg weight category before moving up last year.

How can Reetika still earn a medal for India?

Reetika will now have to wait for Kyzy to enter the final, which will give her a shot at competing in the repechage round. If she doesn’t then India’s Paris Games campaign will end with six medals and without a gold. Aiperi Medet Kyzy will take on United States’ Kennedy Blades in the women’s freestyle 76kg semifinal bout on Saturday night.

If Kyzy manages to beat Blades in the semis clash and enters final, Reetika will have a chance to fight it out in the repechage round and if she wins it, she can eventually compete in the bronze medal contest.

Earlier on Saturday, Reetika overpowered Bernadett Nagy of Hungary to enter the quarter-final of the women’s 76 kg freestyle event at Paris Games. The referee stopped the contest with 29 seconds left in the second round as Reetika gained a 10-point lead with the final score reading 12-2 in favour of the Indian.  Reetika gained upper-hand with 4-0 lead in the first round after getting an early leg-hold followed by a flip. The Indian wrestler made it to the quarters on basis of technical superiority.

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 Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda lost a close quarter-final bout against Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the women’s 76 kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today