Paris Olympics: 'Twice Unlucky' Nisha Dahiya Loses Another Possible Major Medal To Injury in Deja Vu Bout

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Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya's journey at the Paris Olympics ended in heartbreak, reminiscent of her struggles at the World Wrestling Championships in 2022. Dahiya, who has been plagued by untimely injuries at crucial moments, saw her Olympic dreams dashed in the women's 68kg quarterfinals against North Korea's Pak Sol Gum.

In a display of sheer determination, Nisha battled fiercely against her 18-year-old opponent. She took an early lead with two back-to-back takedowns, securing a 4-0 advantage within the first minute.

This defeat echoes the heartbreak Nisha experienced in 2022 at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. Leading 4-0 in the bronze medal match against Canada's Linda Morais, she suffered a relapse of an old ligament injury. Her movement to evade an attack caused the injury to resurface, turning her promising lead into a painful defeat by fall. Nisha's knee, already well-strapped, couldn't withstand the strain, and she left the mat, both her medal hopes and physical well-being shattered.

Coming back to Paris Olympics, she extended her lead to 8-1, demonstrating her dominance on the mat on Monday -- August 5. However, disaster struck when Nisha hurt her finger, potentially dislocating it, just as she seemed to be cruising towards victory.

With only 33 seconds left on the clock, Nisha's pain became evident as she screamed while trying to continue the bout. Despite her agony, she showed incredible grit, refusing to walk off and instead opting to fight till the end. Her bravery was commendable, but it also allowed Pak Sol Gum to exploit her vulnerability. The North Korean teenager seized the opportunity, executing multiple roll-throughs and tying the score at 8-8 with just 12 seconds remaining.

Nisha's tenacity kept her in the match, but in the final moments, Pak Sol Gum managed a crucial takedown, sealing the bout 10-8. The Indian wrestler was left in tears, the pain of her physical injury compounded by the emotional toll of another missed medal opportunity.

An unfortunate career marred with on-mat injuries

If not for these untimely injuries, Nisha would have been a World Championship medallist, positioning herself as a formidable contender for an Olympic medal. In Belgrade, she had overcome three higher-ranked opponents, including World No. 5 Adela Hanzlikcova, only to see her campaign abruptly end due to her knee giving way. Her bronze medal bout in Paris brought back those painful memories, as once again, she was thwarted by an injury just when victory seemed within reach.

As Nisha returns to India, her spirit remains unbroken, even if her body has faltered. Her story is one of incredible resilience, a testament to her unwillingness to yield despite the odds. For Nisha, the fight continues, and with the right support and recovery, she will undoubtedly aim to turn her misfortunes around and clinch the victories that have so narrowly eluded her on the world stage.