Let Talk about Sakshi Malik Biography: Name: Sakshi Malik Kadian
Birthdate: 3 September 1992 (age 32 as of 2025)
Hometown: Mokhra village, Rohtak district, Haryana, India
Height: Approximately 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Sport: Freestyle wrestling (58 kg category)
Sakshi Malik Biography
Sakshi Malik Early Life & Beginnings
Born in a modest farming family in Mokhra, Haryana, Sakshi was the daughter of Sukhbir Malik, a bus conductor with Delhi Transport Corporation, and Sudesh Malik, a supervisor at a local health clinic (anganwadi) . Inspired by her grandfather, Badlu Ram, who had been a wrestler, Sakshi began training in wrestling at the age of 12 at an Akhara in Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak, under coach Ishwar Dahiya .
Sakshi Malik Academic & Professional Growth
Sakshi pursued a Master’s in Physical Education from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak. After her Olympic success, she was appointed wrestling director at MDU in 2016 . Parallelly, she joined the Indian Railways under the Northern Railway Zone in its Delhi commercial division. Her Olympic bronze earned her a promotion from senior clerk to gazetted officer rank .
Sakshi Malik Wrestling Career & Achievements
Junior Level Success
2009: Silver at Junior World Championships (59 kg category)
2010: Bronze at Junior World Championships (59 kg)
2012: Gold at World Juniors (63 kg)
Senior International Accolades
2013: Bronze at Commonwealth Championships (63 kg)
2014: Silver at Commonwealth Games, Glasgow (58 kg)
2015: Bronze at Asian Championships, Doha (60 kg)
Olympic Glory: Rio 2016
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik made history as India’s first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in the 58 kg freestyle category. In a riveting repechage bout, she triumphed over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan—a match famously decided in the final seconds after a dramatic takedown . This medal broke barriers for female athletes and reshaped wrestling in India .
Continued Triumphs
2017: Silver at Asian Championships, New Delhi (60 kg); also named Khel Ratna Awardee (India’s highest sporting honor)
2018: Bronze at Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast (62 kg); Bronze at Asian Championships, Bishkek (62 kg)
2019: Bronze at Asian Championships, Xi’an (62 kg)
2022: Gold at Commonwealth Games, Birmingham (62 kg), where she staged a remarkable come-from-behind win in the finals
Sakshi Malik Awards & Recognition
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2016
Padma Shri, 2017
Cash rewards and land grants collectively exceeding ₹5.7 crore from multiple states and institutions
Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, 2024—she is the first Indian wrestler to feature on this prestigious list
Stand for Justice: Activism & Protests
In 2023, Sakshi emerged as a prominent voice in the protests against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the embattled President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), accused of sexual harassment. She, along with fellow wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, led sustained protests at Jantar Mantar and participated in symbolic acts such as threatening to immerse her Olympic medal in the Ganges—drawing global attention .
Her leadership in this movement highlighted systemic issues facing Indian women athletes and inspired broader cultural conversations about safety, rights, and equity. Following the controversial election of Sanjay Singh (an ally of Brij Bhushan) as WFI President in late 2023, Sakshi announced her retirement from wrestling, signaling a powerful act of resistance .
Sakshi Malik Legacy & Impact
Sakshi Malik is more than a decorated athlete she is a symbol of trailblazing courage. Rising from a rural village, she shattered gender norms in a male-dominated sport. Her Olympic triumph sparked a wave of inspiration across India. Her activism amplified the voices of women athletes and challenged entrenched power structures.
Today, she stands not just as a sports legend but as a changemaker, her legacy etched in medals, movements, and hearts.
(FAQ)
When and where was Sakshi Malik born?
She was born on 3 September 1992 in Mokhra village, Rohtak district, Haryana.
What historic medal did she win at Rio 2016?
She won the bronze medal in the 58 kg freestyle category, becoming India’s first female wrestler to secure an Olympic medal.
What Other honors has she Received
She received the Khel Ratna Award (2016), Padma Shri (2017), and numerous monetary awards—while also earning a spot in Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2024).
When did she retire and why?
She retired in December 2023 as a protest against the election of a controversial figure to the WFI presidency—continuing her fight for justice beyond the mat.
What is her educational background?
She holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education and was appointed wrestling director at MDU post-Rio. Employed with India Railways, she rose to a gazetted officer post-2016 Olympics.
Conclusion
Sakshi Malik’s story is one of audacity, defiance, and triumph. From the fields of Mokhra to the global stage, she personifies grit. Her wrestling legacy glitters with medals; her social legacy shines with advocacy. In chronicling her journey, we celebrate not just an athlete, but a pioneer, a leader, and a bold voice for her generation.
