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Xtra Time Web Desk: Sakshi Malik extends support to Nisha Dahiya after disheartening quarterfinal defeat. Sakshi Malik, India’s bronze medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics and a mentor to Nisha Dahiya, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her solidarity following Dahiya’s poignant loss in the women’s freestyle 68 kg quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.

Malik lauded Dahiya's remarkable tenacity and resilience, focusing on the young wrestler's emotional struggle rather than the physical injury. "I just spoke with Nisha Dahiya. Although she is experiencing significant pain, her morale remains high.

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She is more disheartened by the missed medal opportunity than by the injury itself. Her determination, despite the adversity, makes us all immensely proud," Malik conveyed.

Dahiya, who had built a commanding 8-1 lead against North Korea’s Sol Gum Pak, suffered a dislocated finger during the bout, leading to multiple medical timeouts. Despite the severe discomfort and the finger heavily taped, she continued to battle fiercely, but Pak capitalized on the situation to clinch a 10-8 victory with a dramatic late surge.

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Nisha’s Olympic journey had commenced with a decisive 6-4 triumph over Ukraine's Tetiana Sova in the pre-quarterfinals. While the quarterfinal setback is disheartening, Dahiya’s quest for an Olympic medal is not over. Should Pak advance to the final, Dahiya will have an opportunity to vie for a bronze medal in the repechage round, thus sustaining both her and India's medal aspirations.