Dominating the Mat: Reetika Hooda's Unstoppable Journey to Winning Paris Olympics Quota

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Domination, this word describes India's newest star in wrestling, Reetika Hooda, who secured a quota for the Paris Olympics by defeating Hui Tsz Chang from Chinese Taipei 7-0 in the women's 76 kg category at the Asian Olympic qualifiers. This is also the first time India has won a quota in the women's 76 kg category in wrestling.

The Rohtak girl Reetika defeated all three competitors in her group – China’s Wang Juan, Mongolia’s Enkh-Amaryn Davaanasan and South Korea’s Hwang Eun-ju – to qualify for the semi-final. In the penultimate stage in her bracket, Reetika defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chang Hui-tsz. She will face China’s Wang Juan in the final.

"Reetika has practiced a lot since the beginning, and in the coming matches, we will rectify the mistakes that we made in previous bouts," said her coach Mandeep. "We are hopeful that Reetika will definitely win a medal in Paris because she has practiced a lot, and the wrestling skills she possesses make her a strong contender for a medal in Paris."

Last year was a breakthrough for Reetika as she became the first Indian female wrestler to win the U-23 World Championship. Reetika defeated USA’s Kennedy Blades in the summit clash in Tirana, Albania. She switched from 72 kg to 76 kg before entering the championship and beat the former junior world champion.

Additionally, she won a bronze medal in the Asian Championships and a gold medal in the National Games in Goa, where she defeated Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medalist Divya Kakran in the final. Interestingly, Reetika comes from the same academy, 'Chotu Ram Stadium', which produced India's first and only Women Olympic medalist, Sakshi Malik.

"Reetika earlier used to fight in 72 kg and then she shifted to 76 Kg and she has improved a lot on her strength," said coach Mandeep.

Reetika came to Chotu Ram Stadium in 2014. Not only she, but her mother, Neelam Devi, has played an equal role in Ritika's success.

"I already knew Reetika would qualify for the Paris Olympics," said the proud mother. "We were hopeful that Reetika would qualify because she has worked very hard, and she has not conceded a score even once till now.

"In the Trials also, she did not concede a score, so we were hopeful that she would be able to qualify. She is the first Indian women's wrestler to qualify for the Olympics in 76 Kg. In India, no one has achieved this until now."

This year, Reetika started well. First, she won the National Championship in Jaipur, where she defeated Sunena in the finals. In the Wrestling Trials in Patiala, Reetika totally dominated. In the first round, she defeated Vandana.

Then, in the quarterfinals, she defeated junior World Champion Priya Malik 3-0. In the semifinals, she defeated Asian Games medalist Kiran 10-0, and in the finals, she defeated Bipasha by 5-0. "We are giving Gurumantra to Reetika in training; just keep working hard. We are teaching her how to fight with her opponents," Mandeep signed off.

As the countdown to the Paris Olympics begins, all eyes are on Reetika Hooda, the trailblazer who has redefined the limits of Indian women's wrestling.