Sakshi’s form thows open 62kg class fight open
NEW DELHI: Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik’s inconsistent form in recent months means that 62kg weight class is now open to fierce competition. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will conduct trials today in Lucknow for 62kg to select the athlete for the women’s freestyle squad for next month’s Asian Olympic qualifier tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgystan.
The WFI has also allowed for a 2kg grace for this trial, which will help wrestlers from higher weight categories to jump into the already crowded field, that includes Sakshi, the 2018 worlds bronze medallist Pooja Dhanda, and Sarita Mor, who won gold in 59kg at the recently concluded Asian Championships.
Sakshi could have made the category her own, by finishing in the top six at the 2019 World Championships, which was the first of the Olympic qualifying tournaments; instead, the 27-year-old from Rohtak lost in the first round.
In the national selection trials in January, Sakshi lost again, this time to 18-year-old rookie Sonam Malik. Sonam will also be a part of the trials.
To overcome this lean patch, national coach Andrew Cook said, Sakshi has to believe in herself.
“That’s the only way to regain confidence and also key to winning points against a strong opponent,” Cook said after Sakshi won silver in 65kg in the Asian Championships in Delhi this week.
Sakshi too wasn’t satisfied with her performance, but was happy to get another chance to compete in the trials for the Olympic qualifier. “Like everyone, I too will try my best,” she said.