TOI Sports Desk
NEW DELHI: As the Indian wrestling contingent prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik has expressed optimism about the team’s medal prospects.
Malik believes the team has the potential to secure 3-4 medals, highlighting the capabilities of wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha, and Aman Sehrawat.
“This time, I feel, we can bag 3-4 medals in wrestling because Vinesh, Antim, Anshu and my junior Nisha are there. Aman is a young and promising wrestler. So, we can hope for 3-4 medals,” said Sakshi, as quoted by IANS.
The introduction of seedings in wrestling for the first time could benefit Antim and Aman, who have secured fourth and sixth seeds respectively.
However, Malik’s optimism is tinged with a sense of personal disappointment. Despite her historic achievement as the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, she feels sidelined from the sport following her involvement in the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“Yes, I miss the Olympics as I’m watching it on TV. Everyone who has retired feels the same. In wrestling, the career of an athlete is very short compared to other sports. I’m doing my work but I miss the feeling of living in the Olympic village, playing there and meeting athletes. If there had been some improvement in the wrestling and it was not in control of Brij Bhushan and his aides, then I would have got my value. We feel sad that after such a long battle, we’re not getting any attention and have been sidelined from the game,” said the 28-year-old athlete.
“I’m the only woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal so my involvement should have been there. I would have gone to Paris to watch matches. So, I miss all these things very much,” she added.
India’s recent Olympic history in wrestling, with medals in each of the last four editions, reflects this progress. The upcoming Paris Olympics will be another opportunity for these athletes to etch their names in Indian sporting history and continue the nation’s growing legacy in the sport.
Malik believes the team has the potential to secure 3-4 medals, highlighting the capabilities of wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha, and Aman Sehrawat.
“This time, I feel, we can bag 3-4 medals in wrestling because Vinesh, Antim, Anshu and my junior Nisha are there. Aman is a young and promising wrestler. So, we can hope for 3-4 medals,” said Sakshi, as quoted by IANS.
The introduction of seedings in wrestling for the first time could benefit Antim and Aman, who have secured fourth and sixth seeds respectively.
However, Malik’s optimism is tinged with a sense of personal disappointment. Despite her historic achievement as the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, she feels sidelined from the sport following her involvement in the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“Yes, I miss the Olympics as I’m watching it on TV. Everyone who has retired feels the same. In wrestling, the career of an athlete is very short compared to other sports. I’m doing my work but I miss the feeling of living in the Olympic village, playing there and meeting athletes. If there had been some improvement in the wrestling and it was not in control of Brij Bhushan and his aides, then I would have got my value. We feel sad that after such a long battle, we’re not getting any attention and have been sidelined from the game,” said the 28-year-old athlete.
“I’m the only woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal so my involvement should have been there. I would have gone to Paris to watch matches. So, I miss all these things very much,” she added.
India’s recent Olympic history in wrestling, with medals in each of the last four editions, reflects this progress. The upcoming Paris Olympics will be another opportunity for these athletes to etch their names in Indian sporting history and continue the nation’s growing legacy in the sport.