Like in three of the four other bouts earlier in the day, Sakshi won the crucial bout after coming from behind. It was her (Carolina Marin) day today. The Indian turned the tables on the Kyrgyzstan wrestler in the dying seconds of the bout as Tynybekova was in complete command in most part of the clash.
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“This is the first time that a medal has come for women”. “But then I thought I must redouble my efforts to get a medal which she would also have got”. “She has made us proud with her performance”, acclaimed tennis coach Pramesh Modi told Mirror on Sindhu’s performance.
Kaori Icho of Japan won the gold medal in the category while Russia’s Valeria Koblova – who had defeated Sakshi in the quarter-finals – took the silver.
When Malik qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, most people had not heard about her.
Among the other two, Shiva Thapa found himself in the tough half of the draw when he was pitted against Cuban defending champion Robeisy Ramirez who won by an unanimous decision in the first round of the 56kg bantamweight. And the victor of that bout (Mongolian girl) then took on Sakshi in repechage round 2. “I always felt I would win”. Sprinter Dutee Chand, who was once ruled ineligible for global competitions because she had high levels of testosterone, won a court battle to be reinstated in time to run in Rio.
“Meri 12 saal ki tapasya rang layi (It’s the result of my 12 years’ fight for day and night)”.
My daughter was being praised by her coaches for her attitude and physique.
With the feat, Sindhu has also become the fifth Indian woman to clinch a medal in Olympics history after Karnam Malleswari, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal and Sakshi Malik. So, I am giving what I can.
“I had to give my maximum but from inside I somehow knew I could pull it off.I could win”. I had self belief.
Goel later caused further embarrassment when he tweeted out messages of support to Indian athletes but used incorrect names and photographs. “But I want to do whatever I can”, he said. Sakshi too, admitted to having a tough time when she chose to take up wrestling.
“But I never believed in not giving training to girls so I trained Sakshi”. I am thankful to them because they gave wrestling the right impetus.
Sakshi’s parents watch the good news.
Her father Sukhbir Malik is a government employee while her mother Sudesh is an employee with the Delhi Transport Corporation.
Congratulations Sakshi Malik! 1st Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
For me it is worth a 1000 golds and even that is not enough.
“Her grandfather was also a wrestler”. She got a shot to fight for the bronze medal despite losing in the quarterfinals as the girl who had beaten her in the last eight round Valeriia reached the final.
In athletics, 27-year-old Lalita Babar of Maharashtra showed the way when she bettered her national record with a time of 9:19.76 to be ranked seventh in the women’s 3000m steeplechase and make the final.
Here is the moment that made our hearts flow with unbridled patriotism when Sakshi Malik wrapped the Indian flag around herself and broke down into joyous tears.
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“Her determination paid off”. We will all be praying for her success.
