Earlier on Thursday, Brij Bhushan’s close colleague Sanjay Singh was elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India, defeating Anita Sheoran by a vote of 40 to seven.
Sakshi Malik, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has declared her retirement from wrestling following the election of Sanjay Singh as president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Malik, one of the country’s best wrestlers, has three Commonwealth Games medals, including a gold medal in Birmingham last year, and four Asian Championship podium places.
Malik’s declaration occurred on the same day that former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s close colleague Sanjay Singh was elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India, defeating Anita Sheoran by a vote of 40 to seven. Prem Chand Lochab, representing the opposite side that appeared to be supported by the protesting wrestlers, was chosen secretary-general.
“Yeh ladai dil se ladi (We fought this battle with our heart). In the end, we slept for 40 days on the roads but I’d like to thank the several people of our country who came to support us during the protests earlier this year. If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling…” Malik told members of the media in a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday before she walked out in tears with those present at the venue appealing her to reconsider her decision.
Post Link: https://x.com/SakshiMalik/status/1737803756069167542?s=20
Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were also present at the press conference, who had been the faces of wrestler protests earlier this year in the national capital for investigations into allegations of sexual harassment of female wrestlers by BJP MP Brij Bhushan, casting doubt on their own future in the sport.
Phogat alleged that the protesting wrestlers met with Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this year to discuss the issue. “Aap mujhe 30-40 din ka time dijiye,” Phogat said to Shah, before adding, “It was only after waiting for 3-4 months that we protested.”
Bajrang and Sakshi met with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur last week. According to reports, the wrestlers urged Sanjay Kumar to drop out of the contest. However, Sanjay Kumar stated that he would not withdraw since he was entitled to run in the elections. “Nobody should interfere with elections of a federation if it is happening in a democratic manner.”
