Sushil and Yogeshwar's medals motivated me, says Sakshi Malik

Celebrated woman wrestler Sakshi Malik on Wednesday said Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt's exploits at Olympics motivated her to go all out for an Olympic medal during 2016 games in Rio. Sakshi became India's first woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal when she defeated reigning Asian champion Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan 8-5 in 58kg category, despite trailing 05 at one st, in repech medal playoff. And by her own admission, she had very little idea about importance of quadrennial sporting events and it only got a fillip after two-time Olympic medallist Sushil and London Games bronze medallist Yogeshwar's exploits. 

'Sushil and Yogeshwar's medals...'

"I had been playing sports since I was a child but had little idea about Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games," Sakshi said. 

"It was after I got into wrestling and started winning medals at a junior level that interest in se events started going up. Later on, as Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt started winning medals including at Olympics, it served as a huge motivation for me," Sakshi said.

Speaking of her Olympic bronze and iconic moment when her coach Kuldeep Malik took her for a lap of hour around arena, she said that it took for achievement to sink in.  "When I reached that bronze medal match, I didn't want to lose at final hurdle. My coach kept telling me that you are better than her (opponent).  "It was a tough match and only at very end was I able to win. I can't explain in words what feeling of winning was, I didn't kw wher to laugh or smile or cry," she said during a wrestling session of E-Pathshala, athlete and coach education programme of Sports Authority of India conducted in association with Wrestling Federation of India.  "My coach explained to me that my life will change after this medal but when I grow old, it is a precious memory that will always remain with me. I am very grateful for all love country has given me after I won Olympic bronze."

During her interaction, Sakshi spoke on importance of se sessions, which was also attended by WFI coach Jagmandar Singh as well as technical officials and referees.  Sakshi praised SAI and WFI for initiative on conducting online classes.  

"This is a very good initiative by SAI and WFI. In se difficult times, when even we can't train properly, with se sessions you can stay at home and learn a lot."

Im credits: PTI / Twitter