Olympics 2024 Day 15: 7th medal for India? All eyes on wrestler Reetika Hooda today

  Wrestler Reetika Hooda’s Golden Olympic Dream Is India’s Last Throw of the Dice

Reetika Hooda is currently in the spotlight as she competes in the women's 76kg wrestling event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is India's final athlete in action and carries the hopes of adding to India's medal tally at these Games. Reetika began her campaign today, facing tough competition in her opening round against Bernadett Nagy of Hungary, a two-time European Championships bronze medalist.

If Reetika progresses through the rounds, she could face top-seeded Ai peri Medet Kizy of Kyrgyzstan, a formidable opponent and two-time Asian champion. A victory here would not only extend India's Olympic journey into the final day but also position Reetika to become the second Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, following Sakshi Malik's success in 2016.

Additionally, Indian golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar are also in action today, though their chances for a medal appear slim after a challenging third round​ .

 Reetika Hooda's journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics is a significant moment for Indian wrestling. As the final Indian athlete competing at these Games, her performance today in the women's 76kg freestyle wrestling category is crucial for India's medal hopes. She faced Bernadett Nagy of Hungary in her first match, a tough opponent who has previously secured two bronze medals at the European Championships.       

If she succeeds in this round, Reetika could face the number one seed, Ai peri Medet Kizy from Kyrgyzstan, who is a two-time Asian champion and a silver medalist at the 2023 World Championships. This match would be a pivotal moment in her quest for an Olympic medal, potentially becoming only the second Indian female wrestler to achieve this feat after Sakshi Malik's bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The Indian contingent has so far secured six medals—one silver and five bronze. Reetika's progress could extend India's campaign into the final day of the Olympics, with a chance to further add to this tally.

In addition to wrestling, India's Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar are also competing in the final round of the women's golf event, though their chances for a podium finish appear slim following their recent performances​ .