Rio 2016: Tributes, Praises Pour in For Wrestler Sakshi Malik
Wrestler Sakshi Malik broke India's medal jinx at the 2016 Rio Olympics after she bagged the women's 58 kg freestyle bronze medal.
Highlights
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Wrestler Sakshi won the women's 58 kg freestyle bronze
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This is India's first medal at the Rio Olympic Games
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Sakshi had won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
Sakshi Malik's historic bronze medal on Thursday in the women's 58 kg freestyle event at the Rio Olympics has set the social media abuzz as the tributes, praises and congratulatory messages poured in from all over for the Haryana wrestler.
Leading from the front was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said that it was because of Sakshi the entire nation was rejoicing.
"Sakshi Malik creates history! Congratulations to her for the Bronze. The entire nation is rejoicing. On this very auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi Malik, a daughter of India, wins a Bronze & makes all of us very proud. #Rio2016," Modi tweeted.
The Rohtak-born became the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal after beating Kyrgyzstan's Aisuluu Tynybekova 8-5 in a thrilling match. She is only fourth Indian woman athlete to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleshwari, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal.
On this very auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi Malik, a daughter of India, wins a Bronze & makes all of us very proud. #Rio2016
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016
"Hearty Congratulations to #SakshiMalik for winning a medal in women's wrestling in #Rio2016 and doing India proud #PresidentMukherjee," tweeted President Pranab Mukherjee.
India's lone individual Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra said that Sakshi has lifted the spirits of every Indian.
Congratulations snd felicitations to sakshi malik. What a great performance. Thank you for lifting the spirits of every Indian .
- Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 18, 2016
Fellow grappler and London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, who is a top contender in Rio Games said that Indian wrestling got a new identity today.
???? 2 ????????? ?????? ?? ???? #ind pic.twitter.com/vDySDw3nO6
- Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 17, 2016
Sakshi aap ki tarif me jitna bola jae kam hoga garv he desh ko aap ke upr. Desh ki kusti ko ek alg pahchan mili h aaj. #JaiHind #ind
- Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) August 17, 2016
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the 23-year-old grappler will inspire millions in India.
"Congratulations to Sakshi Malik on winning the first medal for #IND in Rio Olympics. Her victory will inspire millions in India. #Rio2016," the MP tweeted.
India's lone athlete who has won two individual Olympic medals, Sushil Kumar said Sakshi had achieved something special, something no other Indian female had done in the past.
She has done what no Indian girl has done before. A real hero #SakshiMalik u have set a path 4 many more 2 follow u https://t.co/dDsE4XzXhb
- Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) August 18, 2016
Indian cricket coach Anil Kumble, top badminton player Jwala Gutta, cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, shooter Heena Sindhu and Indian hockey captain PR Sreejesh were among the many who congratulated Sakshi for breaking India's medal jinx at the Rio Games.
Congratulation #SakshiMalik... pic.twitter.com/Fado0Jbdse
- sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 18, 2016
Former India opener Virender Sehwag also had a very important social message for everyone.
#SakshiMalik is a reminder of what cn happn if u don't kill a girl child.When d going gets tough,its our girls who get going &save our pride
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 18, 2016