Sakshi became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympics medal.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik ended India’s painful wait for a medal at the Rio Olympics by winning the bronze medal in the 58kg Freestyle bout. Sakshi defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Aisuluu Tynybekova in a sensational 8-5 score in the Play-off bout and became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympics medal.
The bronze medal came in the repechage event after she had earlier been eliminated in the quarters. She got another chance at a medal after her quarterfinal opponent Valeria Koblova reached the gold medal match.
“I was all along confident. I always felt I would win. I did not back down and kept pushing. This is historic for Indian women wrestlers,” said the elated 23-year-old after the win. “This is the result of over ten years of hard work. I feel proud and special that I could get this medal for India.”
Weightlifter Karnam Malleshwari (2000, Sydney), boxer MC Mary Kom (2012, London) and shuttler Saina Nehwal (2012, London) were the only other women players from India to have won a medal in Olympics.
Sakshi’s historic medal gave India much to cheer about on a day that saw fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat leave the field with a bad injury and Kidambi Srikanth lost to Lin Dan in the quarters.
Born in Haryana’s Rothak, Sakshi earlier won a Silver medal at Glasgow Commonwealth games and a bronze at Incheon Asian games. She took up wrestling when she was just nine years old and battled social biases and sexism to learn the sport.
Social Media Updates:
Sakshi Malik creates history! Congratulations to her for the Bronze. The entire nation is rejoicing.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016
On this very auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi Malik, a daughter of India, wins a Bronze & makes all of us very proud. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016
#SakshiMalik is a reminder of what cn happn if u don't kill a girl child.When d going gets tough,its our girls who get going &save our pride
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 18, 2016
Congratulations #SakshiMalik for making all of India proud 🇮🇳 🏅#Rio2016 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/4jrLQ2hZU8
— Leander Paes OLY (@Leander) August 18, 2016
Bow down to #SakshiMalik 's mother as well,who encouraged her 2 pursue wrestling.Tdy a country of1.25bn is rejoicing
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 18, 2016