Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik claimed the bronze medal in 58 kg category wrestling at the Rio Olympics 2016. The Haryana based wrestler managed to defeat her opponent Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan by 8-5 in the women’s 58 kg freestyle.
The 23 year old wrestler has become the fourth woman athlete from India to win an Olympic medal. Malik claimed victory after falling behind 0-5 in the match on day 12. The bronze by Sakshi is the fifth medal overall in wrestling in Olympics. Sakshi talked to the media and said, “I never knew what an Olympics was, I wanted to become a sportsperson to travel in an aeroplane. If you can represent India, you can board a plane, and fly”.
The young wrestler comes from a humble family at a remote village Mokhra near Rohtak. As a child, Sakshi tried her hand in Kabaddi and cricket but wrestling became her favourite sport and also received full support from her parents.
The memorable moment was when Sakshi was lifted by her coach Kuldeep Malik as the two did the honour lap. The wrestler was so overjoyed that she sat with bent knees with the tricolor wrapped around her at the packed hall at Carioca Arena 2 as she received a standing ovation.
Photo Credits: indianexpress
