'So much mental pressure': Sakshi Malik will not return to competitive wrestling

Sakshi Malik, Rio Olympics bronze medallist wrestler, confirmed on Monday that she will not return to competetive wrestling as the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has left her mentally tired.

“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,” Malik while discussing the impact of the #MeToo movement in India during an event.

“I got (Olympic) bronze for India and I want my juniors to get silver and gold. I would love to see each and every girl in India pursuing her dreams."

Malik, 31, retired from wrestling in December last year after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan won the WFI elections. The wrestler along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have now challenged the election in Delhi High Court.

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Malik along with Bajrang and Vinesh have been the biggest faces of the protest against Brij Bhushan who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven female wrestlers.

“Many people have told me to continue but I don’t want to wrestle among people like Brij Bhushan. It feels bad when you see him walking around freely. It seems he is still in control,” Malik said. “I have not just heard about these incidents, I have personally experienced the harassment. 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.

“I am once again pleading with government to ensure that people related to him are not allowed into wrestling’s administration. I will always stay positive and I am hoping for a positive outcome,” she added.