Paris Olympics 2024: Why did Reetika Hooda lose in the Quarterfinal to Aiperi Medet Kyzy despite having same points?

Wrestler Reetika Hooda today lost to top seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy, the Asian Games champion and World Championship silver medallist, in the women's 76kg quarterfinal bout. Reetika lost the match on points. Interestingly, the final score showed 1-1.

So why Reetika Hooda lost the match?

As per the rules of Olympics for wrestling, if the two wrestlers end with the same score, the one who scores the last point is declared winner.


Reetika managed to restrain her formidable opponent, who is the Asian Games champion and a World Championship silver medallist, to standing wrestling for most of the match. The 21-year-old last year's U23 world champion from India had a strong upper body that helped her hold her ground against Aiperi's aggressive double-leg attacks. In the end, Reetika's lack of attacking moves resulted in her losing the bout.

In the first period, Reetika earned the first point due to Aiperi's passivity. The second period saw Reetika being put on the clock for lack of attack, which led to Aiperi equalizing the score. Once she got the equalizer, Aiperi used her experience to defend and maintain the head-lock position, securing her victory as stipulated by the rules.

"You can't win bouts by just defense," said India coach Virender Dahiya, expressing his frustration at the outcome.

"Yes, she fought well but what's the point if your strong defense does not get you win. Reetika did not let her attack but she herself did not attack. You lose by one point, or 10 points, you lose. Reetika could have won this bout," he added.

Reetika's performance in the earlier rounds was notable. She outclassed Bernadett Nagy of Hungary to enter the quarter-finals, winning by technical superiority. She needed only 29 seconds to gain a decisive 10-point lead over the Hungarian, eventually winning 12-2.

Reetika is the last of the five Indian women in the fray. Her fate now depends on Aiperi's result in the next bout. If Aiperi reaches the final, Reetika will get a chance at the repechage round to attempt for a bronze play-off.

Other Indian women like Antim Panghal (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Nisha Dahiya (68kg) have already exited the competition. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat is awaiting a verdict on her appeal against her disqualification from the women's 50kg final for being overweight by 100g.

On a more positive note, Aman Sehrawat won a bronze in the men's 57kg weight-class on Friday. So far, India has won six medals in the competition.