Six Indian wrestlers have secured quotas for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with five quotas coming from the women’s contingent. Despite recent turmoil casting doubt on the future of wrestling in India, the nation’s wrestling team, has demonstrated its strength. Learn more about the wrestlers who earned these quotas and how they achieved them.

Vinesh Phogat- Women’s 50Kg

The Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medalist Phogat, secured a quota in the 50Kg Category at the Asian Olympic Qualifier. She defeated Kyrgyzstann’s Lura Ganikyzy in Bishkek to win a Paris Olympics quota last month.The two-time World Championships bronze medallist spent most of 2023 on the road, and not on the mat. She emerged as a symbol of justice as wrestlers protested against the former WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The nation hopes to secure her glory.

Antim Panghal- Women’s 53Kg

Antim made a remarkable entry into the international arena by winning consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Championships in 2022 and 2023. Antim’s journey to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics began at the World Championships in Belgrade. She won bronze in the 53kg category there. Her victories were not only significant but also notable for the quality of opponents she defeated. Including Dominique Parrish, a gold medallist at the World Championships. Roksana Zasina, a five-time European Championships medallist. Natalia Malysheva, another European Championships medallist; and Jonna Malmgren, a two-time European Championships gold medallist.

Anshu Malik- Women’s 57Kg

At the tender age of 19, Anshu Malik soared to greatness with a silver medal at the World Championships, foreshadowing a future without limits. Unfortunately, an injury halted her progress, but she has since made a stunning recovery. After winning the Senior National Championships, Anshu, still only 22, secured a Paris Olympics quota at the Asian Qualifiers, where she defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Kalmira Bilimbek Kyzy and Uzbekistan’s Laylokhon Sobirova.

Nisha Dahiya- Women’s 68Kg

At the World Olympic Qualifiers, Nisha defeated European Championships medallist Adela Hanzlickova and World Championships medallist Alexandra Anghel to become the fifth Indian wrestler to secure a quota at Paris 2024. She belongs to the biggest of stages. This was announced when Nisha defeated a three-time Asian Games gold medallist in China’s Zhou Feng to win the Asian Championships silver medal.

Reetika Hooda- Women’s 76Kg

Young Reetika Hooda has won all of her eight bouts in the 2024 season, on the back of a bronze medal triumph at the Asian Championships. At the Asian Qualifiers, Reetika faced a tough group featuring Asian Games medalists and a World Championship medalist. But she showed her power, at the Asian Qualifiers in Bishkek, Reetika dominated the tough group. She defeated two Asian Games medalists and a World Championship medalist. This winning streak secured her a quota spot for the Paris Olympics 2024 .

Aman Sehrawat- Men’s 57Kg

Aman is a young Indian wrestler with dreams of Paris, had a rollercoaster ride to qualify. He was touted as a prime contender for a quota after winning a gold medal at the Asian Championships and a bronze medal at the Asian Games. But, Aman faced a setback at the Asian Qualifiers and lost a match to Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev. Another chance came up at the World Qualifiers. This time, the 20-year-old didn’t miss his shot. He defeated Bulgaria’s Georgi Vangelov, Ukraine’s Andriy Yatsenko and North Korea’s Han Chong-song to earn his quota at the Paris Olympics.

While the six wrestlers mentioned have secured quotas for India, their participation in the Paris Olympics is not guaranteed. Quotas ensure that a country has the opportunity to send athletes to compete in specific weight categories, but final selection rests with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of each country.