Representing Haryana at the recently held National Women’s Wrestling Championship in Agra, 18-year-old wrestler Sonam Malik earned huge praise after defeating Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik. This was her third win over Sakshi almost in a year.
Sakshi Malik has been dominating in the 62 kg category for the last four years. When the two faced off for the Asian Championship trials, on the first occasion, Sonam was confident of her practice and did what her father and coach were expecting.
This was Sakshi`s first defeat at the national level by an Indian wrestler, but when the Asian Championship was postponed, her trials had to be repeated, which gave Sakshi hope. However, Sonam once again defeated Sakshi.
Sonam “does not bother losing points during the bout”. She is mentally strong and knows that as she progresses, she covers the points.
Sonam beat Sakshi at the selection trials for the Rome Rankings Series and Asian Championships last year but failed to win a medal in either. Later, she then pinned Sakshi at the selection trials for the Olympic Qualifiers in February 2020 before the latter was postponed. Sonam beat Manisha 3-2 in the quarterfinal, thrashed Bhagyashree 11-0 in the semifinals, and was at her best by the time she got on the mat for the final.
“Everyone in the trial had accepted that I had lost this bout, but in the last few seconds, I used a wagon to snatch the victory,” said Sonam about the Asian Championship trials.
Sonam is the only wrestler in the country to win two gold, and one bronze medal, in the World Cadet Championship. Recalling those days, Sonam said that after this championship, there was such a strain in her hand muscle that her hand stopped moving owing to which she could not even perform in the Haryana State Championship.
“I abstained from wrestling for about one and a half to two years. At that time, it seemed that I should not leave this game forever,” exclaimed the 18-year-old wrestler.
“That was the most difficult time of my life but Dr. Pawan Sharma`s hard work paid off. Gradually, I started recovering from the injury,” she added.
Sonam’s brother also wrestles. “I used to go to the academy with him and my interest and passion for wrestling developed from there,”
There were numerous boys in the academy, with whom Sonam would practice and improve her skills. “Practicing with them helped me to improve my strength, power, and stamina, which in turn helped me in my competitions,” she said.
Sonam whose dream is to win an Olympic medal, says, “I have to get into Olympic qualifying once again and face Sakshi Didi will be in front of me again,”
Seeing Sakshi Malik on TV winning the medal in the Olympics has inspired Sonam from the very beginning, and defeating her idol in a bout is no doubt a humungous achievement.