Five Indian women wrestlers qualify for Paris Olympics
After defeating Alexandra Anghel of Romania in the 68kg semifinals of the World Olympic Qualifiers held here on Friday, Nisha Dahiya became the fifth wrestler from India to earn a spot in the Paris Olympics.
For the first time ever, India will enter the biggest sporting event with five female wrestlers.
An Olympic fifer for India 🖐️!🚨
Nisha Dahiya never allowed Romanian Alexandra Anghel to become the part of the bout. The Indian wrapped up the Semifinals 8️⃣-4️⃣ in Women's 68 kg category at World Olympic Qualifiers to help India bag it's 5️⃣th wrestling quota. #Paris2024… pic.twitter.com/65IwiN0TG7
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) May 10, 2024
Paris berth have already been secured by four Indian women wrestlers. While Antim Panghal earned a bronze medal at the World Championships last year, securing an Olympic quota in the 53kg category, Vinesh Phogat (50 kg), Anshu Malik (57 kg), and Reetika Hooda (76 kg) secured their places for the country at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in March.
Nisha Dahiya defeats Anghel to qualify for Paris Olympics
Nisha, the silver medallist at the Asian Championships and bronze medallist in the World U-23, defeated Anghel 8–4 on points to go to the final and guarantee another Olympic berth for India.
Nisha’s flurry of attacks against Anghel propelled her to an 8-0 lead in the opening period. She attacked with her right leg to start, then turned it into a takedown. She easily outscored her opponent with a two-pointer after that, giving herself a comfortable 6-0 lead.
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She had taken an unassailable 8-0 lead before the first period ended.
After a double-leg onslaught failed to result in points, the second period was all defense. The Romanian, a silver medallist from the European Championship, surprised Nisha by attacking and had her in some trouble.
In the final 55 seconds of the bout, Nisha did a good job of holding onto her lead.
Nisha had earlier advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Alina Shauchuk, a young competitor from Belarus who was participating independently, 3-0 on points.
After that, Nisha, 25, defeated the ninth-ranked wrestler from the Czech Republic Adela Hanzlickova, a multiple European Championship medallist on points 7-4 to advance to the semifinals against 58th-ranked wrestler Anghel.
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Mansi (62kg) can also secure a Paris Olympics berth
Mansi (62 kg) had the task of facing a far stronger foe in eighth-ranked Belarusian Veranika Ivanova, who won by fall in the pre-quarterfinal round with 25 seconds left on the clock.
Through the repechage process, Mansi can still guarantee a spot in the bronze-medal round and aim to win an Olympic quota; however, Veranika must advance to the final in order to do so.
