Sakshi Malik Biography: Career Highlights, Awards & Achievements

Biography of Sakshi Malik: Sakshi Malik is an Indian freestyle wrestler born on September 3, 1992. She made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the 58 kg category, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal. In 2017, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri award for her achievements. She was also the first Indian woman wrestler to be featured in Times Magazine. Read this blog to learn more information about Sakshi Malik and her inspiring journey.

Early Life and Background

Sakshi Malik was born on September 3, 1992, in the town of Rohtak, Haryana—a region known for its wrestling tradition but also marked by conservative social attitudes, especially towards women in sports. Growing up in a joint family with strong roots in wrestling, Sakshi was introduced to the sport at a young age. Despite cultural challenges and financial limitations, her family supported her ambitions wholeheartedly, a key factor that helped her break barriers.

She began training in local akhadas (traditional wrestling training centers), where the focus was not only on physical strength but also on discipline and technique. Under the guidance of her coaches, Sakshi honed her skills, learning to balance aggression with strategy.

Category	Details
Name	Sakshi Malik
Date of Birth	September 3, 1992
Place of Birth	Mokhra, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Sport	Wrestling
Weight Class	62 kg
Height	165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Achievements	Olympic Games: Bronze medal in Women’s Freestyle 58 kg (2016 Rio)
	World Championships: Bronze medal in Women’s Freestyle 60 kg (2015 Las Vegas)
	Asian Games: Gold medal in Women’s Freestyle 60 kg (2018 Jakarta)
	Commonwealth Games: Gold medal in Women’s Freestyle 62 kg (2018 Gold Coast)
Awards	Padma Bhushan (2020), Padma Shri (2016)
Coach	Coach Pradeep Kumar
Affiliated Club	Services Sports Control Board (SSCB)
Personal Life	Married to Satyawart Kadian, a fellow wrestler

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Career Achievements Of Sakshi Malik

She won a bronze medal at the 2010 Junior World Championships in the 58 kg freestyle category, which earned her a place in international wrestling.

1. In 2014, she competed in her first Commonwealth Games, where she won a silver medal.
2. Major Dhyan Chad Khel Ratna Award in 2016 and Padma Shri in 2017 are some of the awards she won because of her contribution to Indian wrestling sports.
3. She won a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, which made her a role model for various Indian women athletes.

Here are some of Sakshi Malik’s career achievements:

Event	Year	Category	Medal
Olympic Games	2016	Women’s Freestyle 58 kg	Bronze
World Championships	2015	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Bronze
Asian Games	2018	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Gold
Commonwealth Games	2018	Women’s Freestyle 62 kg	Gold
Commonwealth Games	2022	Women’s Freestyle 62 kg	Gold
Asian Championships	2015	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Bronze
Asian Championships	2017	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Silver
Asian Championships	2018	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Bronze
Asian Championships	2019	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Bronze
Asian Championships	2021	Women’s Freestyle 65 kg	Silver
SaarLorLux Open	2019	Women’s Freestyle 62 kg	Gold
FILA Junior World Championships	2014	Women’s Freestyle 60 kg	Silver
Wrestling World Cup	2018	Women’s Freestyle Team	Gold

Awards Won By Sakshi Malik

Sakshi Malik won several awards, here is a list:

Award	Year	Category	Details
Padma Bhushan	2017	Sports	India’s third-highest civilian award
Padma Shri	2016	Sports	India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Khel Ratna Award	2016	Sports	India’s highest sporting honor
Arjuna Award	2015	Wrestling	Given for outstanding achievements in sports

Impact and Legacy: Beyond Medals and Trophies

Sakshi Malik’s influence extends far beyond her medals. She symbolizes the transformative power of sports in changing societal mindsets and empowering women. Through her success:

1. She has challenged traditional gender roles in sports and inspired greater female participation.
2. She has encouraged grassroots development of wrestling by motivating young athletes to pursue the sport seriously.
3. Her visibility has contributed to increased government and private investment in women’s wrestling infrastructure.

Sakshi continues to engage with aspiring wrestlers and promotes fitness, discipline, and mental toughness as essential ingredients for success.

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10 Facts About Sakshi Malik

Here is some information about Sakshi Malik that you may have never heard of:

1. Sakshi Malik, the Indian freestyle wrestler, competes in the 58 kg category
2. She has made history by obtaining a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics/ She was the first female wrestler to attain such an award.
3. She is from Haryana, a state popular for producing top wrestlers.
4. Sakshi began wrestling at the age of 12. She was inspired by her grandfather, who was also a wrestler.
5. She used to train at the Chhotu Ram Stadium. Her coach was Ishwar Dahiya.
6. She has won several international medals. For example, a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She even won a bronze at the  2015 Asian Championship.
7. Sakshi Malik used to work for the Indian Railways. She was even the brand ambassador of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement.
8. She has married a wrestler. Her husband’s name is Satyawart Kadian.
9. She had received the Padma Shri (2017). This is one of the top civilian awards given to Indians.
10. She one of the first sportswomen from Inda to openly speak out against harassment in sports.

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10 Lines on Sakshi Malik

These are some additional information on Sakshi Malik that you didnt know about:

1. Sakshi Malik was the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
2. Her birthday is celebrated on September 3, 1992. She was born in Rotak, Haryana.
3. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won a bronze medal. However, her first major international medal was a silver medal she obtained at the e 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
4. She has received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. It is Indian’s highest sporting honor. She even won the Padma Shri.
5. Sakshi holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education
6. She is one of the few Indian female wrestlers to have consistently ranked in the top 10 worldwide (during her peak period).
7. She was featured in the cover of several Indian magazines relating to women empowerment and sports.
8. Early in her career she faced gender bias yet she continued to work hard.
9. She is known for her powerful double-leg takedown move, and has represented India in multiple Pro Wrestling Leagues.
10. She is popular for advocating women’s rights and gender equality in sports.

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