India’s Sakshi Malik came from behind to beat Aisuluu Tynybekova 8-5 in the bronze medal play-off in 58kg category, thereby ending India’s medal drought at Rio Olympics.
Sakshi is only fourth Indian woman athlete to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleshwari, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal.
The 23-year-old wrestler is from Rohtak in Haryana. There were scenes of jubilation at Sakshi’s house in Haryana after her historic win.
Her mother, Sudesh Malik, told ANI, “India’s daughter has stopped India’s medal drought. So proud of her.”
Sakshi had lost 2-9 to Russia’s Valeria Koblova in the women’s Freestyle 58kg category wrestling quarter-final at the Rio Olympics here on Wednesday. She was, however, still in contention for bronze via Repechage after Valeria made it to the final.
This has been one of India’s worst Olympics in recent times after their athletes failed to win a single medal even 11 days after the sporting extravaganza started in the Brazilian city.
Haryana government has announced Rs 2.5 crore and a government job for Sakshi.
Here are some early reactions:
Sakshi Malik – what a fighter! 🙂
— Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) August 17, 2016
Great fight back by Sakshi Malik!
First medal for #Ind in #Rio2016 #Olympics in #wrestling!— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) August 17, 2016
FIRST MEDAL IN RIO OLMYPICS, 2016.
Sakshi Malik wins bronze.
Hats off to her 😀 pic.twitter.com/W2DvDEZtw6— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) August 17, 2016
Medal for India; yup you heard it right, Bronze for India atlast in #Rio2016 via Sakshi Malik (Wrestling-58 kg) via Repechage. yupeeeee
— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 17, 2016
Sakshi Malik is the first Indian medalist in Rio
— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) August 17, 2016
More to come