Tulika Maan Loses Olympic Judo Debut

Indian judoka Tulika Maan's Olympic journey came to a quick end at the Paris 2024 Games as she lost in the opening round of the women's +78kg event, falling to Cuban champion Idalys Ortiz by a score of 0-10 after just 28 seconds. Maan, 25, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, faced Ortiz, a four-time Olympic medalist, in a match that highlighted the experience gap between the two athletes. The defeat not only marked Maan's first Olympic appearance but also concluded India's judo campaign, as she was the sole representative from the country. Despite her past achievements, including a near medal finish at the Asian Games, Maan struggled against Ortiz's superior skills. The loss was particularly poignant given Maan's personal background, having lost her father at a young age and being raised by a widowed mother. No Indian judoka has ever won an Olympic medal, and Maan's exit reinforces the ongoing challenges faced by Indian athletes in the sport.