At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik etched her name in history as the first Indian female wrestler to secure an Olympic medal, bagging a bronze. Now, looking ahead to the Tokyo Games, she exudes confidence in her fellow wrestlers, predicting a haul of medals.
Malik, a veteran of the sport, believes that India’s wrestling contingent is stronger than ever before. “This is our strongest contingent yet. I expect them to win at least four medals,” she asserted during a press conference.
Vinesh Phogat: A Medal Contender
Malik, who will be part of Sony Sports’ live studio show, “Sports Extraaa,” during the Olympics, has high expectations for Vinesh Phogat, the current world No. 1. “She is very strong and the world No. 1. She will win a medal this year and if she continues to do well, she will be a contender next time around as well. She has a lot of experience. I can only tell her all the best.”
Phogat, who will be participating in her second Olympics, endured a tough experience in Rio, suffering a career-threatening injury during her quarterfinal bout. However, she has fought valiantly to reclaim her top spot, and Malik is confident she can handle the pressure and achieve success. Malik reminisced about Phogat’s heartbreak in Rio, “Last time when she didn’t win the medal, she came to me and even cried because she had worked so hard. Her time has arrived now. She will win a medal for this country for sure.”
Malik’s Journey and Advice
Although Malik herself will not be competing in Tokyo, she remains dedicated to the sport, vowing to overcome her shortcomings and make a triumphant comeback. She emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks, saying, “There are ups and downs in every athlete’s life. They cannot work like machines.”
Malik has analyzed her own struggles and identified her weaknesses: “Talking about shortcomings, whatever matches I have lost, I have lost them in the last 5-10 seconds. So, I will work on that and overcome this issue in the future.”
As the Tokyo Games approach, Malik imparts valuable advice to the Indian wrestling team. She urges them to remain calm under pressure and give their best performance: “Do not worry, come under pressure. Just give your best.”
With Malik’s unwavering support and the team’s determination, India’s wrestlers are poised to make their mark on the world stage and bring home a collection of medals.
