Paris Olympics 2024: 'Hurt her intentionally,' Nisha Dahiya's coach accuses North Korean opponent after loss

India national wrestling team coach Virender Dahiya has accused North Korea of 'intentionally hurting' Nisha Dahiya during the 68 kg freestyle quarterfinal bout on Monday (Aug 5) at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

“It was 100 percent intentional, they hurt her intentionally. We had seen, there was an instruction from the Korean corner. They attacked the joint. They have taken away the medal from her,” coach Virender told news agency PTI.

Also Read:WATCH | Wrestler Nisha Dahiya loses after serious right arm injury in last 30 secs of QF

“The way Nisha had started, the medal was in her neck and it has been taken away. The attacks were clear, the counter-attack worked and the defence was compact. She had beaten the same wrestler at the Asian Qualifier, there was no way Nisha was losing this,” he added.

Nisha Dahiya lost her bout to North Korea's Sol Gum Pak due toa shoulder injury in the last 30 seconds. Nisha had a lead going into the final round which she then stretched to 8-1.

An injury on her right arm which saw Nisha bursting into tears and getting attended to by the official medical staff gave her opponent a chance. The North Korean grappler took advantage of the injury and brought thescores level at 8-8.

With only 12 seconds left in the bout, Nisha required medical attention once again and was constantly crying because of pain. The India grappler, however, went down with an 8-10 score despite a valiant effort.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement on Nisha's injury and confirmed that shehas been ruled out of the ongoing games.

“Wrestler Nisha sustained a severe shoulder injury during her bout today. It required reduction and MRI. She has been ruled out of the competition. The course of her treatment will be planned after further tests are performed,” IOA said in a statement.