Tulika Maan wasn’t positive she would make the minimize for the Olympics however now that she has certified for Paris Video games, the Indian judoka is hoping to return with a medal and has set a goal of reaching at the least the bronze play-off. The 25-year-old Tulika, a Commonwealth Video games silver medallist, on Tuesday secured a continental quota for the Paris Olympics within the 78 kg class. “Judo has at all times been filled with surprises and one by no means is aware of what would occur at any level of time. So one by no means is aware of what is going to occur that day. Take a look at how I made it to Paris Olympics,” Tulika informed SAI Media.
“However taking a look at my coaching, I’m hoping I’ll make it to the bronze medal match at the least if not the ultimate. We’re coaching for gold.” The qualification interval was between June 22, 2022 and June 23, 2024 and Tulika was not assured about qualifying for the Olympics after struggling an damage in 2022.
However a victory over Canada’s Portuondo Isasi within the spherical of 32 within the World Championships in Abu Dhabi final month put her on the Olympic rating.
“The journey has been thrilling. My coach (Yashpal Solanki) had drawn up a calendar of occasions to focus on, however the Olympics was not a part of that,” she stated.
Nevertheless, her fifth-place finishes within the Asian Video games in Hangzhou final yr and the Asian Championships in Hong Kong in April this yr helped her rack up essential factors.
The Delhi lady was ranked thirty sixth with 1345 factors.
“I gained three bouts every within the Asian Video games and the Asian Championship. Hong Kong is once I first thought possibly I may do it,” she stated, admitting that she was uncertain about her Olympic probabilities after she couldn’t win a bout in two Grand Slam competitions in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Astana (Kazakhstan).
“The win within the World Championship helped me.” Tulika feels China’s Su Xin may show to be her hardest opponent on the Video games.
“She might be my largest competitor as I used to be injured throughout a bout together with her within the 2022 Asian Championships. I believe she was the hardest competitor I’ve confronted. France’s Romane Dicko can be a superb competitors. She is just not as heavy because the Chinese language however is fast and highly effective,” she stated.
Speaking in regards to the help that she acquired as a part of the Goal Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Tulika stated: “I’ve bought lots of help from TOPS. Lots of us below TOPS get help to compete in occasions by way of the yr to maintain our rankings. When the bills are taken care of, we will compete with out pressure and can provide our greatest.” Tulika would be the ninth lady judoka from India to compete within the Olympic Video games.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
Subjects talked about on this article
