Paris Olympics 2024: Nisha suffers heartbreaking loss in wrestling quarter-finals after injury

Nisha Dahiya was reduced to tears as she suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the quarter-finals of the women’s 68kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics on Monday after suffering an injury. Nisha stunned Ukraine’s Tetiana Sova 6-4 in the Round of 16 to qualify for the last-eight match.

In the quarter-finals, Nisha was leading 8-1 in the second period against Pak Sol Gum of North Korea when she suffered a shoulder injury with almost two minutes to go.

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The injury was so serious that she was writhing in pain and was forced to take multiple breaks during the second period to receive medical attention but it did not come to her rescue as she eventually lost 8-10.

With just 10 seconds left to go, the scoreline was 8-8 and Nisha still had some hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Despite the pain, she did not give up but due to the injury, she was unable to keep Pak at bay and suffered an agonising defeat.

As the match official went ahead to declare Pak as the winner, Nisha broke down in tears.

Following the defeat, an emotional Nisha was taken for an MRI to assess the extent of her injury. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the shoulder injury and stated that her treatment plan would be determined after further tests.

“Nisha sustained a severe shoulder injury during her match today, requiring reduction and an MRI. She has been ruled out of the competition. Further tests will determine her treatment plan,” the IOA said in a statement.

Sol Gum lost to USA’s Amit Elor later in the competition which ended Nisha’s potential chance of competing in the repechage round.