Tulika Maan, representing India in judo, faced a period of uncertainty regarding her Olympic eligibility. Now that her place at the Paris Games is locked in, her sights are set on winning gold. The 25-year-old has challenged herself to progress at least to the bronze medal contest. A former Commonwealth Games silver medalist, she earned her spot in the +78 kg division through a continental quota, allowing her to shift her entire focus toward training and performing her best in Paris.
Speaking at a press conference, Tulika highlighted the volatile nature of judo, reminding everyone that the sport is full of surprises and unpredictable turns. She pointed to her own path to the Paris Olympics as a prime example of this. Based on her current progress in training, she is optimistic about reaching the bronze medal match, though she admits the final is the ultimate goal. \"We are training for gold,\" she asserted.
After an injury in 2022, Tulika wasn't sure if qualifying for the Olympics was even possible. The qualification period ran from June 22, 2022, until June 23, 2024. A pivotal moment came last month at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, where her win against Canada's Portuondo Isasi in the round of 32 boosted her ranking significantly. Additionally, her performances at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Asian Championships in Hong Kong this past April were vital for gathering the necessary points. The Delhi-based athlete ultimately ranked 36th globally with a total of 1345 points.
Reflecting on her path, the 25-year-old described the journey as a thrilling ride. While her coach, Yashpal Solanki, had mapped out a strategic competition schedule, the Olympics weren't initially on the radar. It was only after winning three matches each at the Asian Games and the Asian Championship—specifically during the Hong Kong event—that she started to believe it was possible. This followed a dip in confidence after she failed to secure a victory in two Grand Slam events held in Astana and Dushanbe.
Tulika credited her success in the World Championship as a major turning point. Looking ahead to the Games, she identifies China's Su Xin as her toughest hurdle, describing her as the most formidable opponent she has encountered. She also kept an eye on France's Romane Dicko, noting that while Dicko may lack the sheer size of the Chinese athlete, she compensates with impressive speed and power.