Indian wrestling fans were left outraged on social media after Nisha Dahiya's heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to North Korea's Pak Sol Gum at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Dahiya was dominating the women's 68kg bout with a commanding 8-1 lead when an unfortunate injury turned the tide against her, leading to an agonizing 10-8 defeat. The bout started strongly in Dahiya's favour, as she quickly racked up points, demonstrating her superior technique and strength.

However, the match took a dramatic turn when Dahiya dislocated her finger in the second round. Despite the intense pain, she chose to continue after receiving treatment. Moments later, she called for the physio again, this time for a shoulder injury, but once more, she pressed on.
With her movements visibly hindered, Dahiya struggled to maintain her lead. The relentless Pak Sol Gum capitalized on the situation, slowly closing the gap as Dahiya's performance waned due to her injuries.In the final seconds of the match, Pak managed to secure a decisive takedown, overturning the deficit to win 10-8, sending shockwaves through the Indian fanbase.
Outraged fans took to Twitter to express their frustration, accusing Pak of exploiting Dahiya's injuries rather than competing on merit. Many criticized the North Korean wrestler for what they perceived as unsportsmanlike behaviour, while others lamented the cruel nature of Dahiya's loss, feeling that her valiant effort deserved a better outcome. The emotional moment of Dahiya being helped off the mat in tears further fueled the online outcry, as fans rallied behind their athlete, devastated by the outcome.
Despite the loss, there remains a glimmer of hope for Dahiya's Olympic campaign. If Pak Sol Gum advances to the final, Dahiya could still compete for a bronze medal through the repechage round.