Reetika Loses Olympic Rematch vs Kyrgyzstan Wrestler, Settles for Silver

ONCE again it was so near yet so far for wrestler Reetika Hooda.

- FIROZ MIRZA @Chennai

ONCE again it was so near yet so far for wrestler Reetika Hooda. More than eight months ago, she had lost her Paris Olympics quarterfinal against Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan. On Thursday, she had an opportunity to avenge the loss as she stormed into the final of 76kg at the Senior Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, setting up a rematch with the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. However, once again she ended on the wrong side, losing the final 6-7.

On August 10, 2024, Reetika lost 1-1 against Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Champ de Mars. It was a close bout with each of them winning a solitary point through passivity across the two periods. As per the rule, in case of a tied score, a wrestler who earns the last technical point is adjudged winner. Unfortunately, it was Reetika's opponent who earned the last point.