Paris 2024: Nisha Dahiya Looks To Draw Inspiration From Sakshi Malik As She Begins India's Olympic Challenge

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Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya is set to face Ukraine's Tetiana Rizhko in the Round of 16 of the women's freestyle 68 kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Nisha secured her spot at the Olympics during the World Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul in May 2024, where she delivered a stunning performance against Romania's Alexandra Anghel in the semi-finals.

Before leaving for Paris, Nisha spoke to myKhel about her preparation "
Right now, the training is going well. My entire focus is on the Olympics. I am preparing myself physically and mentally. I am doing my best. Right now, my focus is on training and the Olympics, so that I can give my 100% in everything I am doing."

Nisha's path hasn't been without challenges. In July last year, she suffered a severe injury during the Asian Games trials. "I had an injury in my first bout. I was not able to eat properly or even get up. The doctor said it would take four months to heal. I had a bad rest for two months and couldn't participate in the games. The Olympics were very close, but I couldn't compete," she recounted.

Despite the setback, Nisha's resilience shone through. She secured a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships. "I had a lot of experience in the finals. Qualifying for the Asian Championships and winning the silver medal boosted my confidence. However, the injury at the Asian Games trials hindered my performance. My family, especially my mother, supported and motivated me during my recovery," Nisha said.

Training under Iranian coach Amir Tavakolian has also been pivotal for Nisha. "He is a good coach. My negative point was my defence, and he helped me improve a lot," she noted.

Sakshi Malik's bronze medal victory at the Rio Olympics in 2016 was a groundbreaking moment for Indian sports. Her triumph not only earned her a place in history but also ignited a wave of inspiration among Indian wrestlers especially women's wrestlers, proving that with determination and hard work, they too could excel on the global stage.

Drawing inspiration from Sakshi Malik, the U-23 World Championship bronze medalist expressed her determination to win an Olympic medal for India.

"I am very motivated after seeing Sakshi Malik win an Olympic medal in 2016. I have trained with her and drew a lot of inspiration from her. I want to give my best and win a medal for India," she added.

As she steps onto the mat, Nisha remains focused and determined. "I understand that only a few get the opportunity to compete at the Olympics. If I have been given this chance, I won't let the pressure affect me. I will fight and give my 100% to ensure I perform at my best," Nisha affirmed.