Sakshi Malik Has Given New Strength to Tricolour: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised 'Bharat ki Beti' Sakshi Malik for winning India's first medal at the Rio Olympics 2016. Sakshi won bronze in the 58 kg freestyle category to become the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve this feat.
Sakshi Malik created history to become the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal when she clinched the 58 kg freesyle bronze. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
"It is slowly sinking in that I have won an Olympic medal and life is already feeling a bit different now. I was waiting and worked hard for this moment for the last 12 years," Sakshi told NDTV after becoming the first Indian woman grappler to clinch an Olympic medal.
Sakshi Malik's bronze medal win at Rio triggered celebrations in her hometown. The wrestler's family had a few tense moments after Sakshi lost her first-round bout but was confident that their daughter would not return empty handed. Sakshi's mother Sudesh Malik told NDTV that they were inspired by the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao' slogan and always backed Sakshi during her career as a wrestler.
Indian fans in Rio spent anxious moments before Sakshi Malik won her bronze medal bout against Kyrgyzstan's Aisuluu Tynybekova 8-5 in a thrilling finish on Wednesday. This was India's first medal at Rio 2016 and fans told NDTV that India can win at least five. India won six medals in London 2012.