Sporting fraternity hails Sakshi on her historic feat

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

Another London Games bronze medallist shooter, Gagan Narang tweeted: "When a Bronze is Heavier than a Gold ...#SakshiMalik Take a Bow????????????????"
Indian cricket limited-over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also applauded Sakshi for her determination and self belief she showed en route winning the bronze.
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Other Indian cricketers also congratulated Sakshi on clinching the bronze.
"#SakshiMalik is a reminder of what cn happn if u don't kill a girl child.When d going gets tough,its our girls who get going &save our pride," tweeted former opening batsman Virender Sehwag.
"Congratulations to #SakshiMalik on winning the Bronze in Women's Freestyle 58kg to give India its first medal????We are proud of u?? #Rio2016," former India batsman V V S Laxman wrote on his Twitter handle.

Former India Test captain and current coach Anil Kumble tweeted: "Well done #SakshiMalik on your achievement! Proud of you! #Rio2016."
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted: "#SakshiMalik has made India proud.Wrestling in India gets another big boost.#Rio2016."
The BCCI also tweeted to congratulate Sakshi.
"Congratulations #SakshiMalik on winning our first medal at #Rio2016 #wrestling," the BCCI said.
Indian hockey team captain P R Sreejesh and his team-mate Rupinder Pal Singh also congratulated Sakshi on her bronze-winning effort.
"Congratulation #SakshiMalik...," tweeted Sreejesh whose team crashed out at the quarterfinal stage at the Rio Olympics.
"Thank you #SakshiMalik for our first medal of #Rio2016 campaign! We all salute your courage & determination! Stellar effort! #wrestling," wrote Rupinder.

Shooter Heena Sidhu, who made an early exit in her event in the Rio Games, tweeted: "What an elation in the middle of the night!! Difficult to sleep with so much adrenaline in my system after a nail biting match #SakshiMalik."
Shuttler Jwala Gutta also expressed her admiration for Sakshit as she tweeted: "Wowwwwww amazing amazinggggg #SakshiMalik.