"In wrestling, we should get at least three medals” - Sakshi Malik ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Sakshi Malik is confident of Indian wrestlers winning at least medals at the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled to start on July 26. A total of six Indian wrestlers will compete at Paris 2024.

Indian six-member wrestling contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024 includes Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, Reetika Hooda, and Aman Sehrawat.

At a panel discussion conducted by the JSW Group, Asia Society India Centre, and the Consulate General of France in Mumbai on Friday, July 5, Sakshi spoke about various aspects of the sport.

"In wrestling, we should get at least three medals, I feel this is going to be our best ever Olympics. The girls will perform better," she said.

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“After my medal, significant changes occurred” - Sakshi Malik

The first Indian female wrestler to emerge as an Olympic medalist, Sakshi emphasized that winning an Olympic medal will transform the lives of athletes, families, society, and the overall village.

"An Olympic dream is not just an athlete's dream; it's the dream of an entire family. Winning an Olympic medal transforms not only the life of the athlete but also the lives of their family, society, and village,” she added.

She stressed the transformation she witnessed in her village, Rohtak, after securing an Olympic medal at Rio 2016. She added that there will be multiple opportunities created for other athletes to train at better facilities once an athlete wins a medal.

“After my medal, significant changes occurred. The Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, where I trained, went from having a tin roof to becoming an AC hall. A stadium was even built in my village and named after me. An Olympic medal creates numerous opportunities, especially for children, allowing them to train in better facilities,” she concluded.

Furthermore, Sakshi Malik also added to the swift change in everyone’s mindset in women’s wrestling. She proudly pointed out the change in gender ratio in wrestling as five female wrestlers qualified for Paris 2024 compared to one male.

After fighting hard to bring a change at the administrative level at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from the sport.

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