Paris Olympics 2024: Indian Coach Alleges Wrestler Nisha Dahiya Was "Intentionally Hurt" By Her Opponent in The Quarter-Final Bout

India’s wrestling campaign suffered a severe blow on Monday as wrestler Nisha Dahiya bowed out of the Paris Olympics due to an injury. Wrestling in the quarter-final match in the 68 kg category, Dahiya picked up a shoulder injury. However, Dahiya first sustained a finger injury in the match against DPR Korea’s Pak Sol Gum. Unfortunately for the wrestler, Dahiya was leading the match 8-1 against Pak before dislocating her finger. After some medical attention, Nisha continued the bout but struggled, and Pak Sol Gum eventually overtook her with a 10-8 score.

Wrestler Nisha Dahiya Sustained An Injury In The Quartefinal Bout Against Korea's Pak Sol Gum

Nisha earned her place in the 68 kg quarter-final after beating Ukraine’s Tetiana Sova 6-4 in the Round of 16 match. Even in the quarter-final, the 25-year-old wrestler appeared dominant against her Korean opponent, maintaining an 8-1 lead. However, the Indian wrestler suffered a freak injury at this moment of the match, crying out in pain from the little finger of her right hand. Initially, Dahiya continued the bout after seeking medical assistance. However, she called the medical team back onto the mat almost immediately, complaining of discomfort in her shoulder.

After a third complaint, the medical team advised Nisha against continuing the match, but she decided to continue. The bout resumed, but Nisha Dahiya had clearly lost her ability to fight. Pak Sol Gum of DPR Korea then took a 10-point lead against the injured Dahiya. Consequently, the match ended in Korea’s favor as Dahiya finally broke down on the mat due to the nature of her loss.

Dahiya's Coach Says Korean Wrestler 'Intentionally' Hurt Nisha

The Indian national team coach, Virender Dahiya, has alleged that the injury was an “intentional” move by Korea. The coach claimed that the Korean corner instructed their wrestler to attack in order to gain an advantage. He said that Nisha Dahiya was robbed of a medal as she had been in good shape to clinch a medal at the Paris Olympics.

"It was 100 percent intentional, they hurt her intentionally. We had seen, there was an instruction from the Korean corner. They attacked the joint. They have taken away the medal from her," he said. "The way Nisha had started, the medal was in her neck and it had been taken away. The attacks were clear, the counter-attack worked, and the defense was compact. She had beaten the same wrestler at the Asian Qualifier; there was no way Nisha was losing this,” the coach added.

Nisha Dahiya eventually lost the chance to feature in the bronze medal match as Pak Sol Gum lost her semifinal bout against USA’s Amit Elor. The IOA later informed that Nisha had suffered a “severe shoulder injury” and would exit the Paris Olympics. Now, Vinesh Phogat is leading India’s charge in the 50 kg wrestling category. The seasoned wrestler has reached the semifinals of her event after beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 on Tuesday.