But far away in Rio De Janeiro, a 23-year-old wrestler called Sakshi Malik, India’s lone medalist this year, was making a statement of her own. In a country where women are still seen through patriarchal frames and are deemed to need the protection of men, a woman athlete from Haryana won the Olympic bronze medal in a sport that many in India still view as the height of masculinity. This dynamic lady wished everyone early in the morning of Thursday with Bronze Medal through Repackages, in the 58-kg category of Women’s Freestyle Wrestling. “Her 12-year-old dream has finally come true today”, says her uncle. These were Sakshi Malik’s first words after her decorated triumph and they give an idea of the quantum of her achievement.
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Sukhbir’s brother, who Sakshi is very close to, says that perhaps it was in her genes to do well in wrestling. Thompson who is 24, clocked 21.78 seconds to beat Netherlands’ world champion Dafne Schippers by 0.13 seconds and add the 200 meter title to the gold she won in the 100 meters.
Only for the assembled media to demand her presence citing prior commitment from the family!
It was only after she made the cut Sakshi was included in the Target Olympic Podium scheme as she did some training in Bulgaria and Spain.
With just seconds remaining in the bout, the Indian pulled off another takedown to take the lead and make sure of the win.
She is also the fourth female Olympic medallist from India, joining the ranks of weightlifter Karnam Malleswari (2000, Sydney), boxer MC Mary Kom (2012, London) and shuttler Saina Nehwal (2012, London). “Her discipline is unmatched”, said Sonia. We will all be praying for her success. She then came from behind to overturn a 5-1 deficit in her pre-quarterfinals with a stunning four pointer, pipping Mariana Cherdivara Esanu 5-5.
Malik hails from Rohtak town in the north-western state of Haryana, where girls were discouraged from training as wrestlers till a decade ago and female foeticide is rampant.
Brimming with pride at their daughter’s historic achievement at the Rio Olympics, wrestler Sakshi Malik’s parents urged all fathers to encourage their daughters, who want to take up sports. Sakshi went on to win a bronze at the Asian Championships 2015 in Doha, which cemented her place alongside the now-renowned Phogat sisters. Sports Minister Vijay Goel also congratulated Sakshi on her winning the bronze.
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However, another wrestler made a tame exit from the competition today to end the women’s campaign here. Censorious as a billion-plus Indians were as they waited for the breakthrough in Rio, their delighted reaction to Sakshi’s win was sensational.
