Tulika Maan Qualifies for Paris Olympics, Aims for Gold in Judo

Indian judoka Tulika Maan has secured her spot at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 25-year-old athlete from Bhopal qualified in the women’s +78kg division through the latest rankings issued by the International Judo Federation (IJF).

Overcoming Challenges

Tulika faced doubts about her Olympic qualification after suffering an injury in 2022. However, her victory over Portuondo Isasi of Canada in the round of 32 at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi boosted her ranking, helping her secure a continental quota for India.

Training and Goals

Despite the challenges, Tulika remains optimistic. She said, “Judo has always been full of surprises. 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.”

Consistent Performer

Tulika has been a consistent performer at both national and international levels. She participated in the 2017 World Championships in Budapest and the 2017 Tokyo World Judo Championship. She also won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Open in Kuwait.

Next Steps

The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have the exclusive authority to represent their countries at the Olympic Games. They must confirm their use of quota places by July 2 for the Paris Games.