Sakshi Malik, an Olympic bronze medallist, is a trailblazer in many respects. In addition to being the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, she altered attitudes and inspired a new generation of female wrestlers.
Her remarkable wrestling career was characterized by a series of outstanding accomplishments, the pinnacle of which was the bronze medal at the Olympics.
On September 3, 1992, Sakshi Malik was born in the Haryanan village of Mokhra, in the Rohtak district.
Sakshi Malik Quick Info
| Born | 3 September 1992 |
| Birthplace | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Parents | Sukhbir MalikSudesh Malik |
| Siblings | Sachin Malik |
| Husband/Spouse | Satyawart Kadian |
| Marriage Date | 2 April 2017 |
| Prefession | Wrestler |
| Weight Category | 58 kg |
| Age | 30 years (as of 2023) |
| International Debut | 2014 ( Commonwealth Games) |
| Height | 162 cm (approx.) |
| Weight | 65 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Awards | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Padam Shri, Arjuna Award |
| Net Worth | $5 million (approx.) |
| Education | Vaish Public School, RohatakDAV Centenary Public School, Rohatak |
Sakshi Malik Early Life
On September 3, 1992, Sakshi Malik was born in the Haryanan district of Rohtak, in the hamlet of Mokhra. She was raised in a typical household. In Mokhra, her village, wrestling was not viewed as a pastime for girls. This was the only thing that girls were supposed to do in Sakshi’s hamlet. that after getting married, she ought to focus on her studies and handle domestic duties.
Sakshi Malik, however, dispels all of these myths and gives her all to the sport of wrestling. Sakshi’s family was modern, yet they encouraged their daughter to pursue her wrestling love. Her dad and grandfather She disproved gender preconceptions by encouraging her daughter to pursue her interest for wrestling. When Sakshi used to wrestle with boys while wearing shorts, people in her community used to point fingers.
Sakshi had a deep love for wrestling when she was a young child. Her father registered his daughter at Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak after realizing how passionate she was about wrestling. Ishwar Dahiya, her initial coach, oversaw her training here. began training and quickly made a name for himself as a formidable young wrestler. In addition to gaining physical strength, he also gained an unbreakable spirit by taking on the challenge of battling against boys.
Sakshi Malik Family
Sakshi and her Guru Ishwar Singh Dahiya
Sakshi Malik’s parents never participated in sports, in contrast to Sania Mirza, Dipa Karmakar, or Geeta Phogat, her counterparts. Sakshi’s mother was a supervisor at a nearby medical facility, and her father was a bus conductor for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The Haryanvi girl was inspired to take up wrestling by her granddad. She used to see him at his “Akhada” while he trained wrestlers and coached them.
in the age of twelve, Sakshi Malik started training in an Akhada at Rohtak’s Chhotu Ram Stadium. Upon spotting her potential, her parents set up coaching for her and carefully managed her nutrition and diet. When Malik’s first instructor, Ishwar Singh Dahiya, began teaching the young girl, the neighbors objected. The village’s patriarchal culture expected girls to stay inside their houses.
Got Inspired by Her Grandfather to Take Up Wrestling
Sakshi Malik’s parents, in contrast to Sania Mirza and Dipa Karmakar, had no sporting affiliation. Malik’s mother worked as a supervisor at a nearby medical facility, and her father drove buses for the Delhi Transport Corporation. Malik was inspired to start wrestling after seeing her grandfather, who had wrestled for a living.
Faced Opposition from Locals for Choosing a Sport ‘Not Meant for Girls’
At the age of twelve, Malik started training at an akhara located in Rohtak’s Chhotu Ram Stadium. In addition to organizing her coaching, her parents managed her nutrition and diet. When Malik’s instructor, Ishwar Singh Dahiya, began teaching him, the villagers objected because they believed that girls in the hamlet should be kept inside their houses.
Improvement in Game
Sakshi had to wrestle boys to hone her skills because she was from a male-dominated area where women weren’t allowed to participate in wrestling. It was made feasible by Malik’s rapid improvisation and learning. The taboo of forcing wrestlers of different genders to compete against one another had to be broken by her and coach Dahiya. Dahiya specifically forced her to battle against men in order to improve her skills. The locals were cruel to her despite her talent and her desire to get better, which at times made her doubt her own abilities.
The Rise
Sakshi secured a Podium finish at the 2014 Glasgow CWG.
Following their medal-winning performances at the 2012 London Olympics, wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar established India as a wrestling powerhouse by 2014. Malik was motivated to earn an Olympic medal one day by the wrestling medals she saw in the 2008 and 2012 Games.
For Malik, 2014 was a notable year. She kicked it off by taking home the gold in the Dave Schultz International Tournament’s 60 kg division. She then went on to win the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which was an incredible accomplishment. Malik was unable to advance past the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Wrestling Championships in Tashkent, though. Sakshi Malik, a fighter at heart, however, made a comeback in May 2015 as she took home the bronze at the Doha Asian Wrestling Championships.
Rio Olympic 2016
Sakshi Malik Biography: An elated Sakshi Malik after winning the Olympic Medal.
Experts think that India’s best chance of winning a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics was Vinesh Phogat. In the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Asian Championships, Vinesh had brought home gold and silver medals for her nation. Unfortunately, a horrific injury forced her to miss the Olympics.
Sakshi Malik defeated Russian wrestler Valeria Koblova in the quarterfinals of the Rio Games after winning the round of 32 and round of 16. Thankfully, Koblova advanced to the finals, allowing Sakshi Malik to compete in the “repechage round.”
The wrestlers who fall short against the ultimate finalists compete for the bronze medal under the repechage rules.
Malik won her maiden match against Pürevdorjiin Orkhon, a wrestler from Mongolia, on her way to becoming an Olympic champion. In the bronze medal match that followed, she wrestled against Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan. As the current Asian champion, Tynybekova jumped off to an overwhelming 0–5 lead early in the fight.
However, Sakshi’s aggressive style of play carried her hopes through to the final three minutes of the game. “Sakshi, attack, attack karo” was what she heard her coach say in the final thirty seconds of the fight. In the last nine seconds of the match, things finally turned around at this point. By winning the bout 8–5, Sakshi Malik made history by being the first female wrestler from India to win an Olympic medal.
Sakshi needed five fights to land on the podium on the penultimate day. With this, she became the fourth Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, following badminton player Saina Nehwal (2012), boxer MC Mary Kom (2012), and weightlifting Karnam Malleswari (2000) in Sydney. The fifth female Olympic medallist from the 2016 competition was PV Sindhu.
Awards
Sakshi Malik Biography: Former President Pranab Mukherjee presents the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Sakshi Malik.
Sakshi was elevated by the Indian Railways from senior clerk to gazetted officer following her bronze medal win at the Rio Olympics. Malik was also named the Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, her alma mater, director of wrestling. Most significantly, though, Sakshi Malik received recognition from the Indian government in the form of the esteemed Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award prior to receiving an Arjuna Award.
| Award Name | Year |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna | 2016 |
| Arjuna Award | 2016 |
| Youth Icon of the Year Award | 2016 |
| Bronze Medal at the Rio Olympics | 2016 |
| Padma Shri | 2017 |
| BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year | 2017 |
| Outstanding Achievement in Sports Award | 2017 |
Achievements
- Silver Medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games: He showcased his wrestling skills at the international level and won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in the 58 kg category.
- Bronze Medal at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships: Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Doha, Qatar, establishing her presence in the wrestling world.
- Bronze medal at 2016 Rio Olympics: Sakshi Malik created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the 58 kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which brought her national recognition and became a source of inspiration for the youth.
- Silver Medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships: She won the silver medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, India in the 58 kg category.
- Gold Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games: At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Sakshi Malik won the gold medal in the 62 kg category, cementing her position in international wrestling.
- Bronze Medal at the World Wrestling Championships: In 2018, Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, further cementing her reputation as one of India’s top wrestlers.
- Medals at the 2019 Asian Wrestling Championships: At the 2019 Asian Wrestling Championships, Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal in the 62 kg category.
Lesser Known Facts About Sakshi Malik
- Sakshi Malik is a freestyle wrestler. Sakshi won a silver medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and also won a bronze medal in the Rio Olympics in 2016.
- When Sakshi started learning wrestling, her family had to face opposition from the local people.
- Sakshi Malik started taking wrestling training at the age of just 12. Seeing his daughter’s passion for wrestling, her father enrolled her in Chhotu Ram Stadium.
- Her grandfather Badlu Ram had helped Sakshi a lot in making a career in wrestling.
- Along with her wrestling career, Sakshi has also pursued higher education. She holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education.
- Sakshi Malik faced many personal challenges in her journey, including financial obstacles, but she persevered through her determination and the support of her family.
- Sakshi Malik is a part of the JSW Sports Excellence Program along with Vinesh Phogat and Geeta Phogat.
Rio 2016: Sakshi Malik, the female wrestler who got India’s first medal
Sakshi Malik, a female wrestler, has thrilled the country by winning India’s first medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her path to the Olympic podium, however, has not been simple.
She earned bronze in the 58kg women’s wrestling division after putting on a tough performance, making history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal and the fourth overall.
She told The Hindu newspaper, “I never thought I would become the first woman wrestler from India to bag an Olympic medal in wrestling.” “I hope the remaining wrestlers will also do well.
Struggle to the top
She was born in the Indian state of Haryana, where women were once prohibited from competing in wrestling matches.
The 23-year-old’s parents encouraged her to pursue the sport, so she began training at an early age. According to media sources, the parents were originally chastised by the townspeople, who told them that their daughter would become unattractive to possible suitors.
However, she proceeded to win a bronze medal in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She claimed that her bronze medal from Thursday was the “result of 12 years of dedication”. “I persevered till the very end. I had to give it everything I had in the last round, but I believed in myself,” she remarked.
The BBC was informed by her father, Sukhvir Malik, that “Sakshi is now known to the entire country.” “People have been celebrating outside our house since last night” , he stated.
He continued by saying that Sakshi was motivated to take up the sport of wrestling by her grandfather, a wrestler.
“She put in a lot of day and night training. She brought the medal that she had promised to bring, as she had promised.”
A woman wrestling in one of India’s most conservative states
Her hometown is Rohtak, which sprang to fame in 2014 after two sisters retaliated against a mob of men who harassed them on a public transport. Another notable fact about the state of Haryana is that it has the worst gender disparity in all of India, which activists claim is an indication of high rates of female foeticide.
India saw a significant surge in women’s wrestling in the mid-1990s. However, girls were not permitted to train with boys in Haryana until 2002.
That state is now home to all three of India’s female wrestlers at the Olympics, a record for the nation in any event.
Women have now “put Rohtak on the world wrestling map,” according to Ishwar Singh Dahiya, who taught Malik and is among those in India who are credited with the growth of women’s wrestling.
The year after he stepped down as district sports officer in 2015, Mr. Dahiya told the Hindustan Times, “Girls who were once not welcome at the Chotu Ram Stadium have now become its pride.”
A tribute on social media: “Dreams into reality”
Joy has swept Indian social media in the hours since her win.
Before Malik hit the stage, India had not won a single medal at Rio after suffering a string of setbacks.
“Indian aspirations have come true,” tweeted one person.
“Observe how Sakshi managed to save the Indian tally. “She accomplished what brothers were unable to do,” political analyst Yashwant Deshmukh said.
Another commenter said, “Sakshi proved women are not weak and in need of protection.”
Along with congratulating Malik on her victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India referred to her as a “daughter of India”.
“Nobody feels tired after winning a medal for (their) country,” her mother said when she asked her daughter if she was fatigued following her victory, according to local media.
The manoeuvres that got her a medal
Tynybekova got off to a good start, taking the lead with a leg grab.
The sportsmen engaged in combat, with Malik making a great comeback in the closing moments of the game.
Malik had earlier outplayed Mongolian wrestler Orkhon to advance ahead
“Sakshi capitalized on her opponent’s misplaced effort to secure the two-point takedown and then drove in for her own takedown. That’s how she won the match, Team Singapore wrestler and Juggernaut Fight Club head coach Arvind Lalwani told the BBC.
“It’s not an easy task to win the game in the final seconds after falling down by five points! She persisted in trying to get the photos, and eventually she succeeded.
“From what I saw, it was pure grit and determination.”
From Sakshi Malik’s retirement to Jantar Mantar demonstrations: The story of the 2023 wrestling protests that left scars
A major topic of discussion in the nation’s sports discourse during this historic year, when India won their most medals ever at the Asian Games, was the protracted battle waged by the country’s best wrestlers against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was charged with sexually harassing female wrestlers.
Prominent wrestlers in the nation, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, assembled at the renowned Jantar Mantar in the nation’s capital to express their disapproval of the 66-year-old Gonda native and Kaiserganj Member of Parliament.
The nation took notice of the hartal as it caused a commotion and had reporters and observers across glued to news sites as the movement spread. The grapplers asked that action be made against the former president of the federation, who was accused of sexual intimidation.
Before Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur intervened and promised that action will follow a thorough probe into the harassment charges, the wrestlers demanded that IOA President and former athlete PT Usha appoint an impartial committee to look into the matter. The Wrestling Federation of India’s daily operations were placed under the supervision of an oversight committee led by the renowned Indian boxer MC Mary Kom, which also included former wrestler Yogeshwar Rao. The WFI elections were rescheduled from their originally scheduled date.
After the Sports Minister’s promise, the hartal was called off, and the demonstrators dispersed. However, they reassembled in April when police refused to file a complaint against Brij Bhushan. This was due to the Supreme Court’s intervention, which ordered the Delhi Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the 66-year-old, taking into account the grievances of the female wrestlers and obtaining statements from the parties involved.
The WFI election, which was supposed to take place on May 7th, was postponed by the Sports Ministry, who also requested that the oversight committee continue governing the federation until elections could be held and a new council could assume power.
In order to emphasize the protest’s message, wrestlers even slept outside in the streets during the month of May, while courts in Assam, Haryana, and other
A brawl erupted at the demonstration location on May 3rd, when grapplers reported that several police officers had mistreated female grapplers and physically assaulted the demonstrators while intoxicated. Following the altercation between the demonstrators and the police, a few wrestlers sustained injuries.
On May 5, after seven complaints were filed, the three female wrestlers who had filed the initial complaint against Brij Bhushan recorded their statements with the Delhi Police.
In an effort to uncover the truth, the demonstrators put the former chief to a NARCO test. Brij Bhushan gave testimony to the police on May 11th, May, and expressed his disapproval of the accusations made against him.
On the day of the inauguration, the wrestlers made the decision to march to the new Parliament, but the police arrested them for obstructing government employees who were on job.
Disgruntled grapplers, weary of the bureaucracy and red tape impeding their pursuit for justice, chose, as they arrived in Haridwar, to submerge their national medals in the lake. The Khaps urged the wrestlers to carry on their fight for justice and cautioned them against discarding the medals in the trash.
The International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the organization in charge of wrestling, disapproved of the entire episode.
Unexpectedly, the father of a juvenile female wrestler who had also filed a complaint acknowledged that they had deliberately brought up a false accusation against Brij Bhushan as a form of retaliation.
The demonstrators called off the strike once more in the hopes that justice would be served, and the Sports Minister gave promises and stated that the wrestlers will be treated fairly.
The WFI polls, which were originally scheduled on July 6th, were postponed once more until July 11th when five state bodies that were not affiliated with the organization requested to be allowed to vote as well.
A number of teenage competitors and their parents reacted angrily when they learned that six protesting grapplers had been given an exemption from the selection procedure, sending the final pick to represent India at the Asian Games in Hangzhou into disarray.
The long-awaited WFI election date was finally set, with elections scheduled for December 21st, following the conclusion of the Asian Games.
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran and Brij Bhushan loyalist Sanjay Singh faced off in the polls for the top spot in the federation, while Brij Bhushan, who had served as the head of the WFI for the entirety of his term, and his family were prohibited from running for office.
The unhappy wrestlers backed Sheoran, saying that only a former wrestler with insider knowledge of the federation’s goings-on could assist resolve the problems besetting the national organization. To the wrestlers’ dismay, however, Sanjay Singh won the election with a landslide, sparking wild celebrations at the Brij Bhushan camp.
On the other extreme of the spectrum, though, in a startling move, gold medallist and Olympic bronze winner Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling in a moving press conference after the Brij Bhushan-loyalist’s victory. Bajrang, perhaps the most well-known figure in Indian wrestling today, protested by returning the Padma Shri award.
Another twist in the story came when it was revealed that the U15 and U20 national championships will be held in Gonda, in the Brij Bhushan territory. This led to the suspension of the recently elected WFI board for a lack of transparency.
“The WFI constitution has not been adhered to by the new body. The Federation has been suspended until further orders, not terminated. All they have to do is adhere to the rules and the due process,” a representative of the sports ministry said.
“On December 21, 2023, the day he was elected president of WFI, Sanjay Kumar Singh, the just elected president, declared that the U-15 and U-20 national wrestling tournaments would take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the year is over. The ministry defended its decision to suspend the recently established WFI body by saying, “This announcement is hasty, without giving wrestlers who are to participate in the said nationals enough notice and without following the provisions of the WFI constitution.” Phogat announced her decision to return her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the Prime Minister of the country in an open letter on December 26, a few days after Sakshi made a powerful decision to resign from the sport and Punia returned his Padma Shri.
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