Sakshi Malik Stands Firm on Retirement, Cites Mental Torment from Wrestling Federation Controversy

Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik has confirmed her decision to not return to competitive wrestling, attributing her stance to the prolonged and mentally taxing protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

Malik’s retirement announcement in December last year marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for governance reform within Indian wrestling.

The 31-year-old wrestler, alongside fellow Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, has been at the forefront of the movement demanding Sharan Singh’s removal and arrest. Despite their efforts leading to Singh’s displacement from the WFI presidency, Malik expressed disillusionment with the federation’s current leadership under Sanjay Singh, whom the protesters view as a proxy for the ousted chief.

Speaking at a panel discussion on the #MeToo movement in India, Malik articulated the toll the year-long protest has taken on her mental health and resolve.

“It’s been more than a year, there is so much mental pressure, and we have been trying to fight in every possible way to make this protest a success, so I’ll not be able to continue wrestling,” she said, emphasizing the impact of the campaign on her personal well-being.

Malik’s retirement also means her absence from the upcoming national trials for the Olympic qualifiers, a significant blow to India’s wrestling prospects. Bajrang Punia has echoed Malik’s sentiments, announcing his withdrawal from events organized by the current federation leadership.

Despite United World Wrestling (UWW) lifting the provisional suspension on the WFI, with assurances of non-discrimination against protesting wrestlers, Malik remains skeptical about the federation’s autonomy and governance. Her comments reflect a broader concern over the influence of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his associates within the sport’s national body.

“I have given up wrestling, but youngsters are hoping that our movement will boot out people like Brij Bhushan. We have done everything we could,” Malik stated, calling on the government to intervene and prevent those associated with Singh from holding positions in wrestling’s administration.