[WATCH] Judoka Tulika Maan trains in Spain ahead of Paris Olympics 2024
Indian judoka Tulika Maan is leaving no stone unturned as she gears up for Paris Olympics 2024. Currently training in Valencia, Spain, Maan is giving her all ahead of her Olympic debut.
In a video posted by SAI Media on X (formerly Twitter), Maan can be seen practicing alongside other judokas in Valencia.
“Tulika Maan, never a dull moment with this star Judoka. Currently getting ready for glory in Valencia, Spain, this #KheloIndia & #TOPSchemeAthlete is all set for #ParisOlympics2024,” wrote SAI Media.
Her training in Spain is a three-week program, after which she will reach Paris on July 26 for a special camp, followed by her event on August 2 at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars.
How did Tulika Maan qualify for Paris Olympics 2024?
Maan's journey to the Olympics has been nothing short of remarkable. She won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, which saw her come into the limelight.
She had initially thought that her fellow judokas, Avtar Singh and Vijay Yadav, had better chances of qualifying. However, Maan, after recovering from her injury, secured fifth-place finishes at the Asian Games 2023 and Asian Championships 2024, followed by a win over Canada’s Portuondo Isasi in the Round of 32 in the 2024 World Championships. These performances gave a big boost to the 25-year-old Olympics Judo rankings.
Maan ultimately secured the continental quota in the women's +78kg division, amassing 1345 points to finish 36th in the standings. Her qualification for the Olympics is a significant milestone for Indian judo. She will be the ninth female judoka from India to compete in the Olympics and the only one to be a part of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Her toughest opponent at Paris Olympics 2024 will be Su Xin of the People's Republic of China, against whom she suffered an injury at the 2022 Asian Championships.