Sakshi Malik opens up about her below-par performance in CWG
(Sourced from PTI)
Under the scanner for her below-par performance in the run-up to the Asian Games, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik is feeling the heat but insists that athletes never stop aiming for medals. The 25-year-old from Haryana had to settle for a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in April and recently crashed out of the Yasar Dogu International in Istanbul before reaching the medal round.
Malik along with three other wrestlers (Vinesh Phogat, Sushil Kumar, Bajrang Punia) was exempted from the trials for the Asian Games but recently WFI officials told media that it was a cause of concern for them that both Sushil and Sakshi are not in form.
"We want to win medal every time we step on the mat. Only we know how we face people when we return without medal. It becomes so tough to answer when people ask questions," Malik said. "We also want to perform well so that no one points fingers at us and that we face no questions for which we have no answer," she said.
Malik conceded that recent results are not according to expectations but asserted that it was not due to lack of effort. "After Rio, I have done well in many championships. There are always ups and downs in athletes' life but we always try to give our 100% and bring laurels for the country. There is no lack of effort during training," she said.
Malik, who will compete in the 62kg category in Jakarta, also admitted that she needs to get a stronger mentally, going into the Games. "I need to be strong mentally and get better. JSW has helped me in taking help of a sports psychologist. I have been advised to meditate and develop positive thinking and think about my strong moves," she said.
Asked how she analyses her performance, Malik replied, "There are small things, little bit of technique and little bit of strategic part, like I have to fight differently against wrestlers from different countries." "Few wrestlers are powerful and few are strong technically, so I am working on all these things. In the camp (in Lucknow) we are working on speed and technique," she added.
Malik took satisfaction from the fact that after her medal show at the Rio Games, more girls are inclined to take up the sport. "People know me now and expect more from me. It feels good and I feel proud," she said.
