Tulika Maan, an Indian judoka, was concerned about her chances of qualifying for the Olympics. However, now that she has guaranteed her spot at the Paris Games, she hopes to bring home a gold. The 25-year-old has set a personal objective of at least making the bronze medal match. Tulika, who had previously won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, received a continental quota for the Paris Olympics in the +78 kg division. With her spot in the competition now assured, she can concentrate on her training and attempt to make an impression on the Olympic stage.
Judo has always been full of surprises and one never knows what would happen at any point of time. So, one never knows what will happen that day. Look at how I made it to the Paris Olympics. But looking at my training, I am hoping I will make it to the bronze medal match at least if not the final. We are training for gold, Tulika said in a press conference.
Tulika questioned her ability to qualify for the Olympics after suffering an injury in 2022. The event’s qualifying window commenced on June 22, 2022, and was scheduled to close on June 23, 2024. However, her victory over Portuondo Isasi of Canada in the round of 32 at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi the previous month elevated her position in the Olympic rankings. Nonetheless, her efforts in the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year and the Asian Championships in Hong Kong earlier this April proved critical in accumulating important points. The athlete from Delhi finished 36th overall with 1345 points.
The journey has been exciting. My coach Yashpal Solanki had drawn up a calendar of events to target, but the Olympics was not part of that. I won three bouts each in the Asian Games and the Asian Championship. Hong Kong is when I first thought maybe I could do it, the 25-year-old Indian stated, admitting that she was doubtful about her Olympic chances after she could not win a bout in two Grand Slam competitions in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Astana (Kazakhstan).
The victory in the World Championship helped me a lot. Tulika believes Su Xin, a Chinese athlete, will be her most challenging opponent at the forthcoming Games. She will be my biggest competitor. I think she was the toughest competitor I have faced. France’s Romane Dicko is also a good competition. She is not as heavy as the Chinese but is quick and powerful, Tulika concluded.
