Dream, Wrestle, Win: Reetika Hooda's Hustle To Olympic Glory Echoes The Power Of Perseverance

Last month, Reetika Hooda clinched the Paris Olympics Qualifier medal, making history as the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic quota in the 76 kg category. Ever since then, Hooda has been rigorously training for the upcoming games in Paris, striving to avoid any injuries and looking forward to showcasing her best performance on the global stage while proudly representing India.

Now, however, when she looks back, 13-year-old Reetika Hooda who embarked on her wrestling journey, never in her wildest dreams imagined making it to the Olympics. Initially, Hooda's focus was only on triumphing in state and national championships. However, as time passed and she got better at her game, she dreamt of representing India internationally, flying on a plane to play for her country, and stepping into the wrestling arena proudly donning her Indian jersey.

Hooda always excelled in sports at school and was later picked for national games. Her father realised her potential and encouraged her to focus on individual gaming. Reetika's journey commenced when her father took her to the Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak and secured a coach.

It was in 2019 that Hooda headed for her first international tour. This served as one big move in her wrestling journey, it not only led to great joy but also gave her the much-needed impetus. What followed was multiple opportunities to represent India in international tournaments and then finally the biggest stage, the Olympics.

The Mantra - ‘Achha Pehalwan Banna Hai’

For Reetika, her journey into sports was never solely about winning big trophies or gold medals; it was about showcasing her talent to the world and excelling in wrestling. This commitment drove her through rigorous training and overcoming a lot of challenges that came her way.

Throughout her journey, some moments made her lose all confidence in herself but what brought her back was her mantra: "achha pehalwan banna hai" (I have to become a good wrestler).

Recalling the rough patch, Reetika shared how she struggled with weight maintenance. She would dread facing senior opponents in the wrestling ring and due to weight adjustments, she lost competitions like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games among others, each defeat blowing her confidence.

These defeats shattered Reetika’s hope, leading her to abandon the practice. Despite encouragement from her coach and parents, she lost faith in her abilities and decided to quit the game.

It took Hooda time to find a positive outlook but when she did, she didn’t look back and promised herself to overcome all adversities with her perseverance.

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Reetika Hooda’s Pillars Of Support

Hailing from Haryana, where society would expect girls to lead a life hidden behind their veils and be within the confines of their homes, Hooda always received unwavering support from her family. She recalled, “Earlier everyone around would mock and question my father for encouraging me to get into sports but he defied all societal norms and inspired me to break barriers. He always held his faith in her game and this instilled in me the importance of focusing on personal growth amidst all the criticism coming my way.”

Throughout her eight-year journey, Ritika's coach and parents were her unwavering pillars of support. While her coach stood beside her during training, her parents ensured she ate the right diet and got full support.

Reetika enrolled in the Reliance Foundation's scholarship program in April 2023. Through the foundation, she received substantial support in meeting her nutrition, medical, and training needs, which greatly enhanced her performance.

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“Apne Sapno Tak Jaao (Chase Your Dreams),” Encourages Reetika Hooda

Reetika's big wins in the past have inspired girls in her community to pursue sports and proudly represent their nation. However, a lot of girls continue to encounter their own set of challenges that blocks them from chasing their dreams. Reetika, speaking on women's participation in sports, expressed her hope for a resolution in near future. Hooda shared how her center currently accommodates around 150 girls only and she hopes to see more participation in the future. She also underscored the need for improved facilities to facilitate the same. Hooda recalled a recent incident where girls from other villages lacked basic amenities like bathrooms and would often come to her training center to change clothes.

In a short span, Hooda experienced numerous highs and lows. Amidst all the victories and defeats, she values the lessons she learned in the last eight years. Sending out a message for girls getting into the world of sports, she emphasised the importance of perseverance and asserted "Whether you win or lose, never cease practicing. Keep your focus solely on your goal. (Jin sapno ko dekha hai, un sapno tak jaao, ruko mat)."