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EXPLAINED: Why did Reetika Hooda lose to Aiperi Medet Kyzy despite being tied 1-1 in the wrestling QF at Paris 2024 Olympics?

Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda, who took part in the women's 76kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024, succumbed to a defeat to top seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the quarter-finals. The match ended with a scoreline of 1-1 but Kyzy was adjudged the winner of the game.

So, even after the scores being tied, why was Kyzy made the victor? What are the rules? Well, there are certain rules in wrestling. We will explain the entire match and how things went Kyzy's way and not Hooda's.

So firstly, when a wrestler is too defensive, charges of passivity are held against them. For example, in the first half, Kyzy was extra defensive and charges were held against her and she was given 30 seconds as per the standards to score but since she failed, Reetika Hooda was granted a point. Thanks to this point, she lead 1-0 at half. Then post that, passivity charges were put up against Hooda, who too failed to score and the point was granted to Kyzy. The game stood 1-1 at the conclusion.

When such a scenario is at stake, what happens is the wrestler who got the last technical points is adjudged as the winner of the match, which in this quarter-final was Aiperi Medet Kyzy.


What next for Reetika Hooda?

Although Reetika Hooda lost in the quarter-finals, fans don't need to panic straight away. She can still play for a bronze medal by fighting in the repechage round if Aiperi Medet Kyzy qualifies for the final. So, hope is still there for India to get one more medal at the Paris Olympics.

Notably, India has won six medals till now at the ongoing Olympic Games. Three of them (bronze medals) came in shooting through Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale. The Indian hockey team also won a bronze by defeating Spain. Neeraj Chopra, a former gold medalist at the Olympics, won a silver medal this time out. The latest medal was roped in by wrestler Aman Sehrawat in the form of bronze yesterday.

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