Paris 2024: All You Need To Know About India’s Last Medal Hope; Reetika Hooda
As the Paris Olympics 2024 enters its endgame, all of India’s last medal expectations rest with one of its most luminous wrestling talents: Reetika Hooda, wrestling in the heavyweight 76 kg category. Hailing from Rohtak district in Haryana, Reetika has grown into a strong wrestler on the international circuit and has finally emerged as a contender, hence carrying all the hopes of India to win a medal at Paris Olympics 2024. A Historic Win in 2023 Reetika Hooda created history in 2023 by becoming the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the Under-23 World Championships. Nothing less than a spectacular win, she defeated highly-rated Kennedy Blades of the United States. Blades, who would go on to make the USA Olympic team, was one of the toughest opponents Reetika has come up against in her career. A Silver Lining in Budapest On the eve of the Olympics, Reetika showed her potential in the UWW ranking series in Budapest, Hungary. She brought home a silver medal after a highly thrilling contest, where she won three out of four bouts. The performance was promising, for it not only gave a fillip to morale but also enough warning to her opponents in the 76kg category. Confronting the Best The Paris Olympics 2024 chalked out 15 of the world’s best wrestlers in the 76kg category, where Reetika Hooda is no stranger to her competition. Notably, she has faced seven of them before in various tournaments and emerged victorious over six. This includes the bout against Colombia’s Tatiana Renteria, who finished bronze at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, where Reetika lost by a marginal difference of a point. Preparing for Immortality Be as unique as it is intense, this would be her preparation for the Olympics. With no woman in her category available for sparring, Reetika wrestles with the boys who train alongside her. She had pushed herself to the limits so that she is at her best for the Games. Under coach Mandeep Singh’s watchful eye, Reetika has spent these past few months honing her skills and refining strategies—trying everything in her pursuit of Olympic glory. en Route to Paris, Reetika’s case for the Olympics was pretty as clear as crystal when she became the first-ever Indian woman to qualify for heavyweight 76kg in the Olympics. She got the quota for the biggest quadrennial competition during the Olympic Qualifiers held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, guaranteeing her place amongst the elite wrestlers vying for the top prize in Paris. India’s Medal Hopes Fellow Indians Antim Panghal in the 53kg, Anshu Malik in the 57kg, Nisha Dahiya in the 68kg, Vinesh Phogat in the 50kg, and Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg categories have joined Reetika at Paris 2024. As Reetika steps onto that mat at Paris 2024, she will not only be living her own dreams but also the hopes of an entire nation that is looking up to her. She has risen to that occasion, propelled by determination and skill, relentless in her training. India is going to watch, hope, and cheer for Reetika Hooda to bring home another Olympic medal, getting her name inscribed in Indian sports history. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: India’s Last Medal Hope on Day 15
All eyes are now on India’s athletes as the nation prays that one of its breeders shines to add to the medal count at Paris Olympics 2024. With India currently at 69 with five bronze and a silver, this shifts focus to the last glimpse of chances in securing more honours. Here’s what India would be having on its plate today at the Paris Olympics 2024. Wrestling: Reetika Hooda’s Decisive Bout In wrestling, Reetika Hooda was the last Indian still in the fray for a medal from the sport. Hooda will be competing in the women’s 76 kg freestyle category and opening her campaign against Bernadett Nagy of Hungary. Bernadett Nagy herself is no ordinary wrestler, having twice finished as the European Championships’ bronze medalist. This presents a big challenge to her. A win for Hooda will not only assure her a passage to the next round but may well set up a meeting with the top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan. Golf: Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar in Medal Quest Next in line will be golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, who will feature in the Women’s Individual Final. As far as the potential of these players is concerned, both are competent enough to net a podium finish and improve India’s position at the medals table. The Paris Olympics 2024 is heating up and India is holding its bated breath, hoping its campaign at the Games comes out triumphantly at the end. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
“Alvida Kushti” Says Vinesh Phogat After Olympic Disqualification
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from the sport through an emotional social media post. The 29-year-old, who was bound to compete for the 50kg gold medal bout, revealed her decision after dramatic events unfolded when she was ruled out of contention at the Paris Olympics 2024 due to an overweight of 100 grams. A Tearful Goodbye Having made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to enter a gold medal bout in her category, Phogat expressed deep disappointment. In a message to her mother, Premlata, Phogat wrote, “Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all. Forgive (me),” Phogat, a two-time world championship bronze medalist, has now retired from wrestling. Phogat’s Disqualification The disqualification came barely minutes before the final contest Wednesday, with Phogat way above her category’s limit. Severe dehydration—in the wake of extreme measures taken to make the weight in, including fasting and without fluids all day, and staying awake all night—saw her spend much of the day at a polyclinic inside the Games village. Appeal and Legal Proceedings Phogat had appealed CAS to turn her disqualification into a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who took her place in the final bout against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt went on to win that bout and take the gold medal. The appeal of Phogat was to be heard in the next few hours by the ad-hoc division of CAS set up in Paris for disputes arising from the Olympic Games. Phogat’s Legacy Phogat has had a career resonating with gold medals in Asian and Commonwealth Games and has been one of the icons in wrestling. Her recent efforts also include spearheading protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment. Vinesh Phogat’s retirement brings curtains on one of the remarkable journeys as a three-time Olympian and the trailblazer of Indian women in wrestling. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: How Wrestling Weigh-Ins Work?
Vinesh Phogat missed her shot at an Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 by failing to make the weigh-in for the final event in the 50 kg category. On Wednesday morning, Vinesh was about 100 grams over the permissible limit of 50kg, thereby ruling her out of participation in the competition. The Weight Cut: The torturous process In wrestling, much like most other contact sports, the athletes go through something called a “weight cut” to reach their exact weight class. This typically means a systematic loss of weight over some period, usually two weeks prior to the event. An athlete may lose even up to 10% of his mass in that period of time. Take the example of a wrestler who weighs 60 kg and is competing in the 57 kg category. They would need to lose 3 kgs of their weight slowly within two weeks. The final 24 hours leading up to weigh-in are the most difficult times of a weight cut. This is where, in desperation, so many athletes turn to ridiculous strategies such as extra-long cardio sessions in a sweat suit, repeated steam and sauna sessions, trying to get as much fluid out of their body as possible. Others even shave their head just to lose that extra gram or two. Such extreme measures put a great physical and mental drain on the body, and more often than not, such sleepless nights are attributed to exhaustion. How Wrestling Weigh-Ins Work? Wrestlers have two weigh-ins. One in the morning when preliminary rounds start and another in the morning for final rounds, to make sure that athletes remain within their weight category throughout the competition. Vinesh Phogat had successfully made the weight this morning before the day’s preliminary rounds. However, on Wednesday morning—the day of her final—the weight checked in 100 grams above the 50 kg limit, disqualifying her. Post Weight-Cut Nutrition By the morning of the competition, when athletes finally make weight, they fill themselves with electrolytes, simple carbohydrates, and a little protein to regain their strength. Therefore, it is believed that athletes should maintain their nutrition very carefully as intake in excess could result in excessive weight gain that forbids them from competing. Normally, wrestlers fight for three bouts on the first day, so they have to balance between good nutrition and hydration without burdening their drained bodies. Conditions and Regulations of the Competition The United World Wrestling (UWW) rulebook has stipulated that it is a closed form of competition with stringent weigh-in procedures. Article 8 of the Competition System has stated that there will be a medical control and first weigh-in in the morning of the concerned weight category. The second weigh-in the next morning is for athletes who will compete in the finals and repechages. It is to note that there is no weight tolerance for the second weigh-in, even though there is a 2kg tolerance at World Cup and International Tournaments, excluding UWW Ranking Events. It is also articulated in UWW’s Chapter 3, Article 11 that each morning, the concerned weight category holds weigh-ins and medical control. The first weigh-in takes 30 minutes, whereas the second weigh-in is also 15 minutes for athletes in the repechages and finals. Other Instances of Disqualification Vinesh Phogat is not the first to be disqualified. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, there have been three other wrestlers who did not pass weigh-ins:– Stevan Mićić (Serbia) – Men’s Freestyle 57 kg– Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia) – Men’s Freestyle 65 kg– Danila Semenov (Russia) – Men’s Light Heavyweight (80-92 kg) Examples like this add weight to just how strict and unforgiving the weight regime is in wrestling, showing how much exact weight really matters in it. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Vinesh Phogat Aims For Gold In 50 kg Wrestling Final
A year of protest against the federation chief. Slept on pavements for 40 days. Was beaten, dragged by the police. Nearly immersed all her medals in the Ganga. Underwent knee surgery. Sealed her Olympic spot after an unforgiving qualification process. Became the 1st Indian woman wrestler to qualify for three successive Olympics. And now at Paris Olympics 2024, she’s beaten the unbeatable defending champ, won two more bouts to become the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling Olympic final. Words fail to appreciate what Vinesh Phogat has just done. Historic Achievement Vinesh Phogat has created history by becoming the first Indian woman to make it to an Olympic wrestling final. Phogat achieved this feat by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman 5-0 in the semifinal of the women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday, 07th August, 2024. Dominant In The Semifinal Vinesh Phogat, participating in the 50 kg weight category for the first time, showed her class when she won the bout through a points decision. The win assured India of a medal in the event and took Phogat into the gold-medal match to be held on Wednesday, where she will face USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. Story Of The Semi-Final In the semifinal bout, Phogat first got her point due to passivity by Guzman. Later on, availing a second passivity warning against her opponent in the second round, she bagged four points and cemented her position for the final. Here’s Phogat’s journey to the semi-finals of Paris 2024. Impressive Form At Paris 2024 Phogat’s journey to the final of the Paris Olympics 2024 has been excellent. Barely a few days ago, she had made news when she beat defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the round of 16. She then carried her fine form into the next round by beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Awaits Gold-Medal Bout With her recent performance, Vinesh Phogat is now only the second Indian woman wrestler to secure an Olympic medal after Sakshi Malik managed the feat. The wrestling fraternity and Indian sports enthusiasts keenly await her performance in the final bout as she aims to bring home a piece of gold. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Vinesh Phogat Enters Semi Finals in Women’s 50kg Freestyle Wrestling
On Tuesday, 06th August, 2024, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat created a career-high by making it to the semifinals of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024. In a thrilling quarter-final, Vinesh overcame three-time Oksana Livach of Ukraine, a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, to win 7-5. This will be the first time Vinesh has ever appeared in an Olympic semifinal. Semifinal vs Yusneylys Guzman That is a tantalizing semi final encounter up next with Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman, who won the gold in the Pan American Games 2023. Guzman is a formidable greco-roman wrestler and will be one of the obstacles on Vinesh’s path to the final. A Bit Earlier A bit earlier in the competition, Vinesh shocked the reigning Olympic champion, four-time World Champion Yui Susaki from Japan with a 3-2 narrow victory. That win took special prominence as Susaki did not let any of her opponents score a point in the competition of the Tokyo Games. Cementing Her Place At Paris 2024 Vinesh confirmed her place at the Paris Olympics 2024 by reaching the final of the Asian Olympic Qualifier this year, where she outmaneuvered Laura Ganikyzy in the semifinal. This achievement marked a kind of streak with her performance and don’t-give-up quality on the international stage. A Historic Achievement for Indian Wrestling To say that Vinesh’s campaign in the Olympics was not anything but a series of struggles would be an understatement. She lost in the quarterfinals in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. During Rio in 2016, she suffered a disastrous ACL injury in the midst of battle and due to that had to retire, thus ending her campaign. Vinesh Phogat, competing in her third straight Olympic Games, became the first female Indian wrestler to very well start with the journey in Paris, unbeaten, best in many ways. Now, the fans will be looking at her next encounter against Guzman to break into the final of Paris Olympics 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shteye
World’s Most Physically Demanding Sports – Are you in?
Sports, usually, are misunderstood as a form of leisure and nothing else. However, that’s not the case. Sports need a lot of preparation, hard work, determination and skill to be played. Sports are exceptionally challenging and demand a different gravy of an athlete—those who might even be considered a bit crazy. Some sports push athletes to their absolute limits. Let’s explore some of the most physically demanding sports played around the world. Boxing Boxing is frequently regarded as the world’s most physically demanding sport due to the incredible physical and mental challenges it presents. Boxers need to develop an extraordinary level of cardiovascular endurance to sustain high-intensity activity throughout multiple rounds, each filled with rapid movements, powerful punches, and constant defense. The sport requires a combination of strength, speed, agility, and reflexes, along with precise technique and strategic thinking. Training for boxing involves rigorous routines that include strength training, aerobic conditioning, sparring, and skill drills. Additionally, the mental toughness required to endure physical pain, stay focused under pressure, and maintain composure during bouts is immense. The combination of these rigorous physical and mental demands makes boxing one of the toughest and most challenging sports in the world. Gymnastics Gymnasts at the top of their game train at least 40 hours per week, equivalent to a full-time job. Even beginners can expect to train close to 15 hours per week. Gymnastics requires balance, strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination. Modern gymnasts must tap into each skill to compete in various events. To achieve higher potential scores, gymnasts must include up to 6 or 7 strength elements. As rules change and scores fluctuate, gymnasts must stay on top of the latest strength and diet trends. Some gymnasts create their own moves to earn more points, cementing their legacies. Whether circling on the pommel horse, suspending their bodies on rings, or springing off the vault, gymnasts always risk near-misses or injuries from small mistakes. Sticking a perfect landing or earning a perfect 10 is one of the most challenging feats in sports. Water Polo In simplest terms, water polo is like soccer, but the field is replaced by a pool and “no hands” is replaced by “what else are you going to use?” Players cannot touch the bottom of the pool, so they must tread water for the duration of a 12-minute quarter. Their variation of treading water, called the “eggbeater,” is more efficient than the typical method. From the moment the referee releases the ball, players scratch and claw to gain possession. Officials ensure players’ nails are filed down to prevent scratches, but players still end matches with scratches, welts, and bruises. Even though punching is prohibited, players use the water to kick or hit beneath the surface for an advantage. Water polo is an insanely brutal sport that only top athletes can play. Wrestling Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back to 3000 BCE in Babylonia and Egypt. While no longer a fight to the death, wrestling still requires an insane combination of speed, endurance, strength, and, perhaps most importantly, discipline. College wrestling matches may have periods lasting only two or three minutes, but competitors often face several opponents back-to-back in a single competition, demanding incredible cardiovascular endurance. Training goes beyond just building muscle; wrestlers must prepare their bodies for stamina and contend with risks of injuries, especially to their shoulders and knees. Rashes and staph infections are common as well. Wrestling legend Dan Gable once said after his 1972 Olympics performance, “The point of wrestling is that it hurts and you overcome that. It never occurred to me that it wasn’t supposed to hurt.” Figure Skating From afar, figure skating appears as an elegant spectacle of bedazzled costumes, graceful leg movements, and serene performances synchronized to the perfect song. However, up close, it is a brutal, physically daunting, and potentially dangerous sport. Skaters balance on tiny metal edges, jumping, spinning, and flinging their bodies into the air, risking dislocated shoulders or bruised tailbones, elbows, shoulders, and knees. Ice isn’t exactly soft to land on. American Olympic gold medalist skater Peggy Fleming began training at the age of 9, committing to 6 to 7 hours per day, 6 days a week, for 11 months out of the year. Football Football is undoubtedly one of the most physically demanding sports. It requires players to maintain peak physical condition, as they must sprint, jog, and run continuously for 90 minutes, covering an average distance of 7 to 10 miles per game. The sport demands a blend of speed, agility, endurance, and strength, as well as exceptional hand-eye coordination and tactical awareness. Players frequently engage in high-intensity bursts of activity, including sudden sprints, jumps, and tackles, which test their cardiovascular and muscular endurance. Moreover, football is a contact sport, and players often face physical challenges such as body checks, collisions, and falls, leading to a high risk of injuries ranging from sprains and strains to fractures and concussions. The mental toughness required to perform under the intense pressure of packed stadiums and the strategic complexity of the game further elevate football as one of the world’s most demanding sports. Strongman Strongman involves picking up extremely heavy objects and moving them around. Events like the Atlas Stone, where participants lift humongous concrete balls onto a platform, and the Farmer’s Walk, where contestants carry heavy weights to a finish line, are common. Strongman participants need access to logs, massive tires, and even cars for training. Top athletes must consume almost 10,000 calories a day to maintain their strength. Ironman At the annual Ironman European Championships, participants swim for 2.4 miles, cycle for 112 miles, and run for 26.2 miles. This exerts an excruciating toll on the body, with risks of cardiac arrests and, in severe cases, death. Most triathlon deaths occur during the swim portion. Ironman competitors must maintain their bodies in tiptop shape, follow a well-balanced diet, and hydrate properly. They must also avoid drinking too much water, which can
