New Delhi, September 3: Sakshi Malik is celebrated as one of India’s most prominent female wrestlers. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics. However, her journey from the streets of Haryana to the podium has been fraught with challenges.
Born on September 3, 1992, in Mokhra village of Rohtak district, Haryana, Sakshi was inspired by her grandfather, Subir Malik, who was also a wrestler. From a young age, she was determined to pursue a career in wrestling, despite her parents’ initial opposition and her grandfather’s reluctance. Ultimately, her persistence won over everyone.
At just 12 years old, Sakshi stepped into the wrestling arena for the first time and began her training. She never looked back. By the age of 17, she showcased her talent at the Junior Asian World Championship, securing a silver medal in the 59 kg category. In 2010, she further impressed the wrestling community by winning a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship.
In 2013, Sakshi clinched a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championship. However, she gained international recognition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she won a silver medal. Her strong performance continued at the Asian Championship, where she added another bronze medal to her collection.
The pinnacle of her career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Sakshi achieved a remarkable feat by winning a bronze medal in the 58 kg category. This victory made her the first Indian woman wrestler to earn an Olympic medal. In 2017, she further solidified her status by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championship.
The following years were challenging for Sakshi. However, the brave wrestler from Haryana refused to give up. She made a stunning comeback at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning a gold medal. Unfortunately, the end of her career was not as memorable. In 2023, along with fellow wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, Sakshi accused Brij Bhushan Singh, then president of the Wrestling Federation of India, of sexual harassment and protested at Jantar Mantar.
After the appointment of Sanjay Singh, who was considered close to Brij Bhushan, as the new president of the Wrestling Federation, Sakshi announced her retirement during a press conference. In recognition of her contributions to sports, the Indian government awarded her the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’ in 2016 and the ‘Padma Shri’ in 2017.
Leave a Comment