Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has opened up about her challenging wrestling journey, detailing harassment by former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh in 2012. Malik chose to stay silent then, fearing it could end her career, but now shares her story to inspire future female wrestlers.
Harassment and the Struggles of Staying Silent
Sakshi recounted how she faced harassment from Singh during a difficult phase in 2012. Despite knowing it was wrong, she remained quiet to protect her wrestling career. She explained that speaking out then could have cost her a future in the sport. Her decision to stay focused on her training and compete internationally was critical for her success, but the environment was extremely challenging.
Leading Protests for Wrestling Reforms
In January 2023, Sakshi, along with fellow wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, led protests at Jantar Mantar, demanding Singh’s resignation over allegations of sexual harassment and corruption. While some changes occurred, Sakshi highlighted that the fight for reform continues. She remains committed to improving the Wrestling Federation, emphasizing that change won’t come as long as influential figures like Sanjay Singh remain in power.
