Sakshi Malik (Born on 3 September 1992 in Mokhra Village, Rohtak, Haryana) is an Indian freestyle wrestler. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won the bronze medal in the 58 kg category, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics and the fourth female Olympic medallist from the country.
Sakshi was motivated to take up wrestling from seeing her grandfather Badlu Ram, who was also a wrestler. She began training in wrestling at the age of 12 under a coach, Ishwar Dahiya, at an akhara in Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak.
Malik's first achievement as a professional wrestler in the international arena came in 2010 at the Junior World Championships where Sakshi won the bronze medal in the 58 kg freestyle event. In 2014 Dave Schultz International Tournament, she won gold in the 60 kg category and after that she never stopped and maintained the passion and dedication towards the wrestling.
Sakshi Malik won the silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the bronze medal in 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Doha. In 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal and became India's first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
Sakshi Malik represented "Colors Delhi Sultans" in the second edition of the Pro Wrestling League held in January 2017. She has also been featured in the women's day campaign called as #EveryWomanStrong for her sponsor JSW Group.
Sakshi Malik has been awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, highest sporting honor of India in 2016. Sakshi also awarded Padma Shri, fourth highest Indian national honor in 2017.
