Sakshi Malik, is a retired Indian freestyle wrestler who made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics by securing a bronze medal in the 58 kg category. This achievement marked her as the first Indian woman wrestler to earn an Olympic medal.

Sakshi Malik’s Early Life

Malik was born on September 3, 1992, in the village of Mokhra, located in the Rohtak district of Haryana. She is the daughter of Sukhbir, a bus conductor for the Delhi Transport Corporation, and Sudesh Malik, who works as a supervisor at a local health clinic. Inspired by her grandfather, Badlu Ram, a former wrestler, she decided to pursue wrestling herself. At the age of 12, she began her training under coach Ishwar Dahiya at an Akhara in Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak. However, there were several individuals, including Kuldeep Malik, Ishwar Dahiya, Mandeep Singh, and Rajbir Singh, who all claimed to be her coach. Eventually, Sakshi clarified her coaching situation by submitting an affidavit to the sports department, stating that Ishwar Dahiya and Mandeep Singh were her official coaches

In recognition of her contributions to sports, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri in 2017, the nation’s fourth-highest civilian honor. Additionally, in 2024, she gained international recognition by being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, a first for an Indian wrestler. She is also a member of the JSW Sports Excellence Program, alongside notable female wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Babita Kumari, and Geeta Phogat.

Pre-Olympic Achievements

Before her Olympic success, Malik clinched a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow and a bronze at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships in Doha.

Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Main article: 2023 Indian Wrestlers’ Protest

Malik, along with Vinesh Phogat and several other wrestlers, leveled serious accusations against Brij Bhushan Singh, a Lok Sabha member and the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, citing instances of sexual and mental harassment. In January 2023, they spearheaded a protest among Indian wrestlers, calling for the disbandment of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Although the government promised to establish an oversight committee to look into the allegations, the protests were temporarily halted. However, by April 2023, the wrestlers resumed their demonstrations, expressing frustration over the lack of action from the government.

Involvement in Wrestler’s Protest

She was a prominent figure in the ongoing 2023 protest by Indian wrestlers against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Following the election of a close associate of Singh as the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, she announced her retirement from the sport.

Career

Malik’s journey as a professional wrestler on the international stage began in 2010 when she earned a bronze medal in the 58 kg freestyle event at the Junior World Championships. Her success continued at the 2014 Dave Schultz International Tournament, where she clinched gold in the 60 kg category. From that point on, she remained unwavering in her commitment and passion for the sport.

Professional and Academic Involvements

Malik is currently working in the commercial department of the Delhi division of Indian Railways, part of the Northern Railway zone, and is also involved in the JSW Sports Excellence Program. After securing a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, she received a promotion from senior clerk to the rank of gazetted officer. She holds a master’s degree in physical education from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak and was appointed as the wrestling director at the university in September 2016.

Personal Life

Shortly after her success at the Rio Olympics, Malik revealed her engagement to fellow wrestler Satyawart Kadian, with their wedding taking place on April 2, 2017. Kadian is an accomplished wrestler himself, having earned medals at both the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. In May 2023, Malik, along with several others, was arrested by Delhi police during protests.

In Media

In 2022, Malik was featured in a short documentary produced by Deutsche Welle, a German broadcaster, which focused on women in wrestling. The film highlighted her training of young wrestler Payal Sharma as she pursued her dream of becoming a professional wrestler, while also addressing traditional gender roles in India, especially regarding women in sports.

• In a media interview, Sakshi disclosed that she began her wrestling journey at the age of twelve, inspired by her grandfather, Badlu Ram, who practiced wrestling. She also mentioned that her father played a significant role in encouraging her to pursue wrestling as a career.
• Sakshi Malik revealed that she commenced her wrestling training at the age of 12, receiving guidance from Ishwar Dahiya at the Chotu Ram Stadium located in Rohtak, Haryana. In an official submission to the Sports Authority of India, she also acknowledged her training under Indian wrestler Mandeep Singh.
• In a discussion with a media outlet, Sakshi Malik recounted her experiences during training, highlighting that she often had to compete against local boys due to the cultural perception of wrestling as a male-dominated sport in her region. She further noted that when her coach, Ishwar Dahiya, selected her for training, he encountered opposition from the local community.
• During an interview, Sakshi expressed that her Silver medal achievement at the 2014 Commonwealth Games holds a special place in her heart.

Wrestling Achievements

• Sakshi Malik competed in the 59 kg category at the Junior World Championships in 2010, where she secured a Bronze medal. Subsequently, in 2014, she achieved a Gold medal at the Dave Schultz International Wrestling Tournament. Later that year, in August, she earned a Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. In 2015, she participated in the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships held in Doha, where she again won a Bronze medal.
• In May 2016, she qualified for the Rio Olympics by defeating Zhang Lan from China during the Olympic World Qualifying Tournament.
• Following her success in 2016, the Indian Railways appointed Sakshi Malik to the commercial department of its Delhi division shortly after she won a Bronze medal for India. She was later promoted from the position of senior clerk to that of a gazetted officer after her Bronze medal victory in Rio. In September 2016, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) appointed her as the director of wrestling.
• On 17 August 2016, she clinched a Bronze medal at the Rio Olympics by defeating Aisuluu Tynybekova from Kazakhstan, making her the first Indian female wrestler and the fourth Indian female athlete overall to win an Olympic medal.

 

• In 2022, during the Tunis Ranking Series held in Tunisia, Sakshi Malik earned a bronze medal.

Honors and Achievements

 

• Padma Shri (2017) – the fourth highest civilian award in India
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2016) – the top sports award in India
• Received multiple cash awards amounting to over ₹5.7 crore (around US$680,000) from various sources, including Indian Railways, the Indian Olympic Association, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Government of Delhi, and several state governments like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as private organizations such as the JSW Group and political parties like the Indian National Lok Dal.
• Promoted to a gazetted officer position by her employer, Indian Railways.
• Offered a Class 2 job by the Government of Haryana.
• Granted a 500 yd² land parcel by the Government of Haryana

Beauty and Fashion

In addition to her accomplishments as a wrestler, Sakshi Malik is recognized for her beauty and fashion sense, frequently gracing the runway for numerous fashion designers.

Public Appearances and Social Media

Sakshi Malik is a participant in the JSW Sports Excellence Program, alongside her fellow female wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Babita Kumari, and Geeta Phogat. As a recognized figure in the sports arena, she consistently engages in yoga practice. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to various international destinations. Numerous leading Indian magazines and tabloids frequently showcase Sakshi Malik on their covers.

Sakshi Malik boasts a following of over 573,000 on Twitter, where she regularly posts images and videos to keep her supporters informed about her endeavors and participation in sports.

Retirement

On 21 December 2023, during a press conference, Sakshi Malik declared her retirement from wrestling, coinciding with Sanjay Singh’s election victory in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Sanjay Singh is regarded as an associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In her remarks, Sakshi expressed her disappointment with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for failing to appoint a female candidate to the presidency.

 

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