Sakshi wary of Japan, China rivals
NEW DELHI: She missed out on a Commonwealth Games gold, but wrestler Sakshi Malik sees next month’s Asian Games as a platform to make amends and build up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sakshi was one of two Indians to win a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, claiming bronze. However, the 25-year-old was barely active for well over a year after that. Still, she had high hopes of winning the 58kg division at the April CWG in Gold Coast. She had to be content with bronze, after winning silver in 2014 at Glasgow.
However, Sakshi is upbeat about her chances in the Jakarta Games and beyond.
“My preparation is going very well. Asian Games is an important event. We have been watching videos of opponents and preparing accordingly. I was sure I was going to win gold at Commonwealth Games but due to some shortcomings I couldn’t,” Sakshi said.
“Ups and downs are part of the game and so is luck, which is a big factor in deciding whether it’s our day or not. I will try to do well in the Asian Games and make up for the misses. Asian Games is tougher than Commonwealth Games. The Japanese are difficult to beat and the Chinese can also be tough,” said the Rohtakborn wrestler.
Sakshi is now at a camp in Istanbul, which will be followed by the Yasar Dogu ranking tournament before she returns home on July 31. Sakshi is keen for more exposure.
“We get to face international opponents in these foreign trips. There are wrestlers from various countries, which help us gain
experience. Daily we fight different wrestlers, so there is a lot of change,” said Sakshi, who won at the Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg in December.
“In a year, if we get 4-5 competitions it’s good. We tell the federation to enter us in more tournaments so that we can perform better when the time comes.” Sakshi’s long break after Rio raised questions whether she would prolong her career. She will only be 27 when the Tokyo Games arrives. “First aim is Asian Games, then the World Championships qualifying tournaments. I know there is little time left to build up for Tokyo, where I have to give off my best.”
Sakshi was among the top athletes who protested the Haryana government’s controversial notification last month that athletes employed with it must deposit one-third of their commercial and professional earnings to the state sports council. The hue and cry forced the plan to be put on hold.
“A player works hard and to give one-third of our earnings is not correct. Most kids come into sports because of money and awards, which are not taxable. That is why they put in effort, knowing there is money in sports and they can get good jobs.”