New Delhi: Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik came home to a grand reception on Wednesday morning in New Delhi. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling.
The wrestler was received by a contingent of ministers from the Haryana government at the Capital’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Haryana’s sports and youth affairs minister Anil Vij, who was present in Rio as head of the state delegation, accompanied the star wrestler on the return flight.
“It was my dream and hard work of years,” Sakshi told Times Now after landing in the country. “Since long I had thought of going to the Olympics to win a medal for the country. It finally happened in Rio.”
She also thanked wrestlers Geeta Phogat, Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt for their contribution to her success. “It was inspiring when Geeta Phogat qualified for wrestling as she was the first Indian woman to qualify for Olympics. It lit a hope that if one weight category can qualify, there can be more. She also has a role to play in my victory,” Sakshi said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, while felicitating her in Bahadurgarh, also announced that she will be the face of the ‘Beti Bacaho, Beti Padhao’ campaign in the state.
Meanwhile, preparations for her rousing reception are on in full swing at her village Mokhra Khas in Rohtak district.
(Agencies)
