Page 2 - Sakshi Malik

Sakshi Malik quits wrestling as Brijbhushan aide Sanjay elected WFI chief

Olympic medalist and face of the wrestlers' protest against former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, Sakshi Malik quit wrestling after Sanjay Singh elected the new chief of the wrestling body

Protesting wrestlers won't face vendetta politics: Bhushan after WFI polls

The protesting wrestlers will not face any sort of vendetta politics and they will get the required support from the new federation, outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on Thursday after the panel backed by him emerged victorious in the keenly-followed elections. Brij Bhushan, who is facing sexual harassment charges from women wrestlers, assured that the new dispensation will work impartially. Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik, though, announced her retirement from the sport, saying she won't compete under the presidency of a man, who is backed by the former WFI boss. Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are still active and hope to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games. The two wresters also expressed disappointment that Brij Bhushan loyalist Sanjay Singh had become the new WFI chief but did not follow Sakshi in quitting the sport. The three top wrestlers had launched an agitation against Brij Bhushan accusing him of sexually exploiting several women wrestlers, early this ..

Sanjay Singh, close aide of Brij Bhushan, appointed as WFI president

Singh and his associates said that they had the support of wrestling federations from most states

Wrestlers urge Anurag Thakur to stop Sanjay Singh's WFI poll candidacy

Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik on Monday requested Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to ensure that Sanjay Singh does not contest for the post of WFI President since he is a close associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassing women wrestlers. The much-awaited Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections are scheduled to be held on December 21 and the results will be declared the same day. Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi had spearheaded the protest against Brij Bhushan, accusing the BJP MP of sexual harassment of several women wrestlers, including juniors. A Delhi court is hearing the matter. Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang said they withdrew their protest after the government assured that no one related to Brij Bhushan will contest the polls. Two candidates -- Brij Bhushan-loyalist Sanjay Singh and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran are in the running for the WFI president's post. "Yes, we met with the spo

Brij Bhushan Singh meets Haryana wrestlers, says will solve their problems

Top Indian wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have protested against Brij Bhushan Singh this year, levelling allegations of sexual harassment against them

Asian Games 2023: Never demanded exemption from trials - Sakshi Malik

Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik on Thursday said she never demanded any exemption from Asian Games trials despite the IOA ad-hoc panel offering to consider her case just like compatriots Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. She also alleged that the move to exempt Vinesh and Bajrang from trials is an attempt by the government to "break the unity of the wrestlers." Sakshi, who competes in the 62 kg category, along with Vinesh (53 kg) and Bajrang (65 kg), was at the forefront of the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who on Thursday got bail from a Delhi court after the police charge-sheeted him on allegations of sexual harassment. The IOA ad-hoc panel led by Bhupinder Bajwa courted controversy on Tuesday after granting exemptions to Bajrang and Vinesh without following due protocols, forcing U-20 world champion Antim Panghal and 65 kg grappler Sujit Kalkal to approach the Delhi High Court to get the decision overturned. "As you a

Spreading wrong things against us: Sakshi Malik slams Olympic medalist Dutt

Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat hit back on Saturday over Yogeshwar Dutt's statement that the protesting wrestlers were exempted from the trial

Did not ask for exemption from trials, just for time to prepare: Wrestlers

Facing opposition from fellow wrestlers for receiving exemption from Asian Games trials, the protesting wrestlers on Saturday denied demanding such a favour from IOA and said they will quit wrestling if it is proved. London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt on Friday questioned if these grapplers were agitating to get such favours and exhorted the junior wrestlers, their coaches and parents to raise voice against this injustice. "We did not ask for exemption from trials, just asked for time to prepare," said Sakshi after going live on social media. "If you had problems with one-bout trial, you should have gone to the sports minister. But you chose to spread poison through social media," Bajrang said. "We are ready to quit wrestling if it is proved that we asked for exemption. We never wrote any letter for exemption." It was first reported by PTI on Thursday that six protesting wrestlers -- the trio, Bajrang's wife Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi's husband Satywart Kadian and Jitende

Several coaches, parents demand withdrawal of exemption for 6 wrestlers

The coaches and parents of several established and upcoming wrestlers on Friday demanded withdrawal of exemption granted to Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and three others from Asian Games and World Championships trials, saying the selection for these important events should be fair. The IOA ad-hoc panel is drawing flak from the wrestling fraternity for handing out favours to six wrestlers, including Bajrang's wife Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi's husband Satywart Kadian and Jitender Kinha. These six wrestlers staged a sit-in protest against outgoing WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing several women wrestlers. Dayanand Kalkal, coach of fast-rising wrestler Sujeet, who is emerging as a worthy opponent to Bajrang in 65kg, fathers of youngsters Anshu Malik and Sonam Malik, and Vikas Bhardwaj, who coaches U-20 world champion woman wrestler Antim Panghal have denounced the IOA panel's decision. "I spoke to Mr Bhupender Singh Bajwa (head of WF

Babita refutes claims of Malik and Satyawart, calls them Cong puppets

Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat has refuted the claims of Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and her grappler husband Satyawart Kadian of helping them in getting permission

Our protest is not politically motivated: Sakshi and her husband Satyawart

Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian on Saturday insisted that their protest was not politically motivated and they kept mum for years despite facing harassment because the wrestling fraternity was not united earlier. In a video posted on Twitter, Kadian said a false narrative was being created around their protest and they wanted to clear the air. Country's top wrestlers including Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, accused outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation. Leaders from different political parties, including Congress' Priyanka Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik visited the protest site, extending their support to the wrestlers before they were removed from Jantar Mantar on May 28. Kadian, sitting beside Malik, said rumours were being spread about their protest. "Let me make it clear that our protest

Wrestlers case investigation: Delhi Police to soon submit report in court

Investigators in the wrestlers' case will soon submit chats, videos and statements of over 150 witnesses in court, a Delhi Police source said on Wednesday

Protesting wrestlers are being pressured to compromise, says Sakshi Malik

She claimed that the father of the complainant minor wrestler is suffering from depression because of the pressure put on him to withdraw the complaint

Wrestlers to halt protest till June 15 after Anurag Thakur assures action

Wrestler Sakshi Malik accompanied star wrestler Bajrang Punia. However, Vinesh Phogat, one of the prominent faces in the protest, did not attend the meeting

Won't take decision behind closed doors: Sakshi Malik on meet with Thakur

India's ace grapplers, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have been at the forefront of the protest against WFI outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Centre invites protesting wrestlers for talks on charges against WFI chief

Wrestlers protest update: The announcement from sports minister Anurag Thakur comes just days after the wrestlers met home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi

Wrestlers get exemption from offices for sports, not for protest: Coach

Sakshi, Vinesh and Bajrang resumed their work on May 31, few days after the protesting wrestlers were evicted from Jantar Mantar in Delhi -- where they had been protesting since April

Will continue fight: Sakshi, Bajrang; refutes reports of their withdrawal

Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia on Monday said they will continue their fight for justice, asserting that none of the wrestlers have backed down and rubbished reports of their withdrawal from the protest as attempts to "sabotage" the movement. The news of our withdrawing from the movement is just a "rumour", Punia said, adding that the report of women wrestlers taking back the FIR is also "false". Bajrang, Sakshi along with fellow Olympian and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat have been protesting against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest on allegations of sexual harassment against seven wrestlers, including one minor. Singh has denied all the charges. "This news is completely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down, nor will we. Along with Satyagraha, I am fulfilling my responsibility in Railways. Our fight continues till justice is served. Please don't spread any wrong .

Wrestlers resume Railway duties, Sakshi to continue fight while working

After getting evicted from Jantar Mantar on May 28, top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have resumed their duties in the Railways, sources said

Wrestler's protest: Bajrang, Sakshi, Vinesh meet Amit Shah, share concerns

Olympian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat met Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence to discuss the matter related to their protest against the WFI boss