Everyone's talking about her. Sakshi Malik has ended India’s agonising wait for an Olympic medal at the Rio Games with a bronze medal in the 58kg category. Wishes have started pouring in from all quarters for the Rohtak wrestler, who also scripted history by becoming the first woman wrestler from India to bag an Olympic medal and only fourth female athlete from the country to climb up the podium at the biggest sporting event.
Sportspersons, politicians and actors took to Twitter to convey their wishes and greetings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those early to wish her.
“Sakshi Malik creates history! Congratulations to her for the Bronze. The entire nation is rejoicing,” Mr. Modi tweeted.
In another tweet, the Prime Minister said: “On this very auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi Malik, a daughter of India, wins a Bronze & makes all of us very proud.”
India's flagbearer at the Rio Games, Abhinav Bindra thanked her for lifting the country's spirits.
Congratulations snd felicitations to sakshi malik. What a great performance. Thank you for lifting the spirits of every Indian .
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) >August 18, 2016
Compatriot Vijender Singh tweeted a thoughtful message.
Bow down to >#SakshiMalik 's mother as well,who encouraged her 2 pursue wrestling.Tdy a country of1.25bn is rejoicing
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) >August 18, 2016
Ace shuttler P. Kashyap, who didn't go to Rio due to injury, called her a fighter.
>#SakshiMalik wooohoooo!! What a fighter! Superb! What a celebration by the family back home ! >#indiasfirstmedal>#BronzeMedal>#Rio2016
— Parupalli Kashyap (@parupallik) >August 18, 2016
The BCCI had a message for her.
Congratulations >#SakshiMalik on winning our first medal at >#Rio2016>#wrestling>pic.twitter.com/Ow1Iqe83NN
— BCCI (@BCCI) >August 18, 2016
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar said her 'resilience' has made everyone proud
What great news to wake up to! >#SakshiMalik , your resilience at >#Rio2016 has made whole of India proud. Many Congratulations!!!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) >August 18, 2016
Shooter Apoorvi Chandela congratulated her as well.
You've made every Indian proud >#SakshiMalik !! Congratulations on the bronze!!
— Apurvi Chandela (@apurvichandela) >August 18, 2016
Union Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi took the opportunity to reiterate that "there is no limit to what our girls can achieve."
So proud of >#SakshiMalik for winning India’s 1st medal at >#Rio2016>#Olympics ! There is no limit to what our girls can achieve.
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) >August 18, 2016
The wrestler also got a Shabash from External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj.
साक्षी मालिक - शाबाश. भारत को तुम पर गर्व है. Sakshi Malik - shabash. India is proud of you. >#SakshiMalik
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) >August 18, 2016
Lok Satta Party president Jayaprakash Narayan said, "...if we value real accomplishment, not spurious publicity, we can achieve many true successes."
>#SakshiMalik Our youth have real potential. If we value real accomplishment, not spurious publicity, we can achieve many true successes.
— Jayaprakash Narayan (@JP_LOKSATTA) >August 18, 2016
Union Minister of Urban Development, Venkaiah Naidu also had a congratulatory message.
Congratulations >#SakshiMalik for winning >#Bronze in >#Rio2016 . You made us Proud.
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) >August 18, 2016
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley applauded Sakshi for her historic feat. “Congrats #SakshiMalik on winning #wrestling bronze at the #Rio2016. She has created history & made the country proud.”
Sports Minister Vijay Goel also congratulated Sakshi on her winning the bronze. “Congratulations to Sakshi Malik!!!.Wins First #Olympics #Bronze Medal for #IND,” Mr. Goel tweeted.
“Witnessed Thrilling Match of #wrestling in which Sakshi overcame 5—0 deficit in First Half to win the bout 8-5 in the end,” he added.
Congratulating Sakshi, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said the country was proud of her. “Congrats #SakshiMalik for the #Bronze @ #Rio2016. #IND’s daughter, we are proud of you.. Well done??.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted:“Congratulations Sakshi Malik. U have made the whole nation proud.”
Former Sports Minister Ajay Maken tweeted: “SakshiMalik gave a great gift to #Ind .Had it not for a freak injury-@phogat_vinesh was also on verge of a glorious medal! Proud of you!”
