Reetika becomes first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at U23 World Championships

India’s Reetika Hooda scripted history on Thursday as she became the first-ever Under-23 woman wrestling world champion from the country. Overall, she is the second Indian to win a gold medal at the U23 Wrestling World Championships. Reetika defeated USA’s former U20 world champion Kennedy Blades 9-2 in an action-packed 76kg final.

What makes Reetika’s achievement even more special is that this was the first time she was competing in the 76kg category after spending two years in 72kg.

Update: U2⃣3⃣ World #Wrestling🤼‍♀ Championships, Albania☑️

* #KheloIndia Athlete Reetika scripts history with a glorious #Gold🥇in Women’s 76kg weight category, becoming the 1⃣st ever woman wrestler & second 🇮🇳 wrestler to win a gold at the U23 world championships 🥳

* In… pic.twitter.com/R3iRltxI6j

— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 26, 2023

Reetika, an Asian Championships bronze medalist, employed a counter-attacking game to defeat the favourite Blades. At the break, Reetika led 3-2 with points coming by pushing Baldes out. The American managed two points by hitting a double-leg.

In the second half, Blades tried to attack Reetika’s leg but the Indian scored a couple of takedowns which helped her clinch the gold.

Elsewhere, Neha Sharma grabbed silver in the 55kg women’s wrestling category after going down 2-4 to Albania’s Umi Imai in the final.

Nitika won bronze in the 59kg category after defeating Canada’s Michaela Rankin 5-0.