 "Rio to Rohtak: Malik drives home medal")
Wrestler Sakshi Malik brought an end to India's long wait for a medal at the Rio Olympics, clinching a bronze in the Women's Freestyle 58kg category.
The 23-year-old from Rohtak overturned a 0-5 deficit in a hectic second round to script an 8-5 victory over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the bronze medal bout. Aisuluu won the opening round, displaying impressive strength and technique. But Sakshi was a totally transformed grappler in the second round, taking eight consecutive points to send the Indian fans in the stands into wild delirium.
Sakshi created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to clinch an Olympic medal. Rohtak erupted in joy on Thursday morning as sweets were distributed in schools, markets and offices. A grand function is being planned to welcome Sakshi as soon as she arrives at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday.
Talking to Business Standard, Sakshi's mother Sudesh Malik said her daughter was always determined to win an Olympic medal for India.
"She was so focused on her practice that often we had to eat without her. She would skip family gatherings and functions, which sometimes even led to confrontations," she said. "But then Sakshi would to tell us, 'If I miss my evening practice for a day, I lose one full week's hard work'."
Sakshi comes from a humble background. Her father, Sukhbir Malik, is a bus conductor in Delhi and mother is an anganwadi supervisor. But wrestling runs in her blood. Sakshi's grandfather, Badlu Ram, was a wrestler. But she is the first woman in the family to take up what, till recently, was a men's sport. Sakshi's uncle Satbir Singh said there were mutterings when she started participating in bouts. "But we always stood by her."
Sakshi's coach Mandeep Singh says, "Sakshi's medal at Rio will motivate young girls. Suman Kundu from Rohtak won a bronze in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and won a silver in 2014. Now we have over 20 women wrestlers at Sir Chottu Ram Stadium in Rohtak," he added.
The 23-year-old from Rohtak overturned a 0-5 deficit in a hectic second round to script an 8-5 victory over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the bronze medal bout. Aisuluu won the opening round, displaying impressive strength and technique. But Sakshi was a totally transformed grappler in the second round, taking eight consecutive points to send the Indian fans in the stands into wild delirium.
Sakshi created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to clinch an Olympic medal. Rohtak erupted in joy on Thursday morning as sweets were distributed in schools, markets and offices. A grand function is being planned to welcome Sakshi as soon as she arrives at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday.
Talking to Business Standard, Sakshi's mother Sudesh Malik said her daughter was always determined to win an Olympic medal for India.
"She was so focused on her practice that often we had to eat without her. She would skip family gatherings and functions, which sometimes even led to confrontations," she said. "But then Sakshi would to tell us, 'If I miss my evening practice for a day, I lose one full week's hard work'."
Sakshi comes from a humble background. Her father, Sukhbir Malik, is a bus conductor in Delhi and mother is an anganwadi supervisor. But wrestling runs in her blood. Sakshi's grandfather, Badlu Ram, was a wrestler. But she is the first woman in the family to take up what, till recently, was a men's sport. Sakshi's uncle Satbir Singh said there were mutterings when she started participating in bouts. "But we always stood by her."
Sakshi's coach Mandeep Singh says, "Sakshi's medal at Rio will motivate young girls. Suman Kundu from Rohtak won a bronze in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and won a silver in 2014. Now we have over 20 women wrestlers at Sir Chottu Ram Stadium in Rohtak," he added.