Sporting fraternity hails Sakshi Malik on her historic feat

NEW DELHI: The country's sporting fraternity, led by iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, today hailed female wrestler Sakshi Malik for clinching a historic bronze to end India's frustrating wait for a medal in the Rio Olympic Games.

Tendulkar praised Sakshi for her resilience in the women's wrestling 58kg class and said that the country was proud of her feat.

"What great news to wake up to! #SakshiMalik, your resilience at #Rio2016 has made whole of India proud. Many Congratulations!!!" Tendulkar, who is also goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent at the Rio Games, said.

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

The country's lone individual Olympic gold medal winner Abhinav Bindra lauded Sakshi for lifting the spirits of every Indian.

"Congratulations snd felicitations to sakshi malik. What a great performance. Thank you for lifting the spirits of every Indian," shooter Bindra, who won a gold in 10m air rifle event in 2008 Beijing Olympics, said.

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

Bindra had finished fourth in the 10m air rifle event in the Rio Games.

Last night, Sakshi ended the country's painful wait for a medal at the Rio Olympic Games by clinching the bronze in the 58kg category, pulling off a sensational 8-5 victory over her rival in the play-off bout.

The 23-year-old from Rohtak became only the fourth woman athlete from India to win an Olympic medal as she earned the dramatic win after falling behind 0-5 in the do-or-die bout on day 12.

She became the first Indian woman wrestler to have won a medal in the Olympics. Her bronze is the country's fifth medal overall in the Olympics.

India's only individual Olympic double medallist, wrestler Sushil Kumar congratulated Sakshi, describing her feat as path-breaking.

"She has done what no Indian girl has done before. A real hero #SakshiMalik u have set a path 4 many more 2 follow u," Sushil, who a bronze in 2008 Olympics and a silver in 2012 Games, wrote.

She has done what no Indian girl has done before. A real hero #SakshiMalik u have set a path 4 many more 2 follow u https://t.co/dDsE4XzXhb

— Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) August 18, 2016

London Games bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom and Beijing Olympics bronze winner pugilist Vijender Singh also patted Sakshi for her historic achievement.

"Congratulation #SakshiMalik Be strong #Rio2016 #wrestling #KheloIndia," Mary Kom tweeted.

Congratulation #SakshiMalik Be strong #Rio2016 #wrestling #KheloIndia

— Mary Kom (@MangteC) August 17, 2016

"Bow down to #SakshiMalik 's mother as well,who encouraged her 2 pursue wrestling. Tdy a country of1.25bn is rejoicing," Vijender tweeted.

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

Another London Games bronze medallist shooter, Gagan Narang tweeted: "When a Bronze is Heavier than a Gold ...#SakshiMalik Take a Bow????????????????"

When a Bronze is Heavier than a Gold ...#SakshiMalik Take a Bow????????????????

— GAGAN NARANG (@gaGunNarang) August 17, 2016

Indian cricket limited-over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also applauded Sakshi for her determination and self belief she showed en route winning the bronze.

"Great comeback by Sakshi Malik 2 win our 1st medal in Rio.determination and self belief r the key for a performance like this. congratulation," Dhoni tweeted.

Great comeback by Sakshi Malik 2 win our 1st medal in Rio.determination and self belief r the key for a performance like this.congratulation

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) August 18, 2016