Sakshi Malik

Sakshi Malik, a former Indian freestyle wrestler, embarked on her wrestling journey at the age of 12 under coach Ishwar Dahiya. Her dedication and perseverance led her to win a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in 2010, a gold medal at the 2014 Dave Schultz International Tournament, and a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Malik's streak of victories also includes a bronze at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships. Her crowning achievement came in 2016 when she won a bronze medal in the 58 kg category at the Summer Olympics. This achievement made her the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics.

For her outstanding contributions to wrestling, Malik was honored with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India in 2017. She also received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2016, the highest sporting honor in India. Beyond the wrestling ring, she completed a master's degree in physical education from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak. After retiring from wrestling in 2023, Malik was appointed the wrestling director at MDU. She is employed with the Indian Railways in the commercial department of its Delhi division, and she was promoted from senior clerk to gazetted officer rank after her Olympic victory. She is also a part of the JSW Sports Excellence Program, along with other female wrestlers. Batta additionally mentors young wrestlers and trains them at her Akhada.

Malik's influence extends beyond India, as evidenced by her inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024, making her the first Indian wrestler to be featured. Malik was honored for her courage and bravery in protesting Brij Bhushan Singh, a powerful Member of Parliament and chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, who was accused of sexually harassing female athletes.