There are several stories of women who overcome all obstacles and escape social norms to follow their dreams. Talking to Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik serves as a reminder of that spirit of rebellion.
She appears youthful and modest as I gaze at her lovely, smiling face through the little Zoom window—eyes brilliant with warmth, cheeks flushed .Sakshi Malik
It may be difficult to comprehend the courage and tenacity underneath the smiling facade if you haven’t seen the pictures of her triumphantly raising the Indian flag on the international scene.
Our discussion soon turns to her most recent book, Witness, and as she describes her experience, it becomes evident that it is about more than just wrestling; rather, it is a tribute to the rewards of tenacity and an unwavering will to succeed.
But she’s also surprisingly feisty. She teases, “Don’t tell me you like my book just because we’re talking in person,” and I quickly reassure her that’s not at all the case Sakshi Malik
Malik’s adventure starts in the sleepy town of Mokhra, which is quite distant from busy metropolises like Delhi and Mumbai. Although she was quiet as a child, she had a sense of independence that many girls her age did not have.
“I didn’t have many restrictions because my grandfather was the sarpanch,” she said. I could relax in shorts and T-shirts when other girls were supposed to wear salwaar kameez.
This look into her childhood is a reference to her confident manner. Then, it is unclear if this break from custom influenced her perception of what was considered.
“Female” or “beautiful”? Malik’s effortless acceptance of her uniqueness, both on and off the wrestling mat, raises the possibility that it was a major influence on how she views the world.
She reflects, “No one had a lot of understanding of these things when I lived in the village.” However, her viewpoint changed when she transferred to an English-medium school in the neighboring city of Rohtak.
Everyone appeared well-groomed there, with crisp jackets, polished skirts, and appropriate water bottles. I recall thinking that perhaps I would also be seen as lovely if I possessed all of these things. Sakshi Malik
The Olympic medal-winning wrestler discusses candidly with Vogue about her husband’s life-changing wellness practice, overcoming body image, and learning to embrace her femininity.
Sakshi Malik
Vogue India: You write about your wrestling coach telling you to “become like a lion” in your book. Did you feel different from the girl Sakshi, the one who wasn’t a wrestler, when you adopted this lion-like mindset? How did those moments affect your attitude?
On-mat or off-mat, Sakshi Malik There were two sides to me. People make jokes like “Stay away from her, she’ll hit you,” or “She must be aggressive because she’s a wrestler.” However, that isn’t how it operates. I don’t care who’s on the mat with me.
Who is in front of me is irrelevant. I’m determined to fight to the end. I’m a very different person off the mat. I’m cool, collected, and courteous.
Aggression bothers me, and I steer clear of confrontation. It’s critical to realize that an individual’s aggression in sports does not necessarily translate to their behavior in daily life.
VI: At first, you thought wrestling would be incompatible with embracing femininity, such as maintaining long hair. What changes have you seen in that belief over the years?
SM: Our instructors and the observation of seasoned wrestlers like Babita and Geeta, as well as others like Alka Tomar and Geetika Jakhar, provided this viewpoint. Because of their consistent short, boyish hairstyles,
Therefore, it was believed that you couldn’t have long hair, seem feminine, enjoy fashion, or wear nail polish if you wanted to be a successful wrestler.
However, when we began to travel, mature, and compete globally, we witnessed Olympic champions who were still elite wrestlers despite their long hair, fashionable attire, and manicures.
Our beliefs took time to shift. I thought it would hurt my wrestling career, but there is no link between the two. We were indoctrinated to believe otherwise.
We were taught that you had to be straightforward and childlike in order to be a serious wrestler. That’s not true, though; I had long hair and manicures when I won my Olympic medal.
Did you follow any particular health practices during the Olympics that helped you relax and maintain your focus?
I met my spouse, Satyawart, in 2015. My perspective was significantly altered when he introduced me to The Secret. I adopted the law of attraction and started practicing manifestation, which changed my life.
I didn’t follow any particular routine prior to that because I was totally preoccupied on my opponent and my tactics. That’s still important, but I now concentrate on seeing myself succeeding.
It has proven an effective instrument. I actually used to sketch my ideas; I still have a diary from 2015–2016 in which I drew myself standing on the stage and hoisting the flag. And that’s precisely what took placeSakshi Malik
You stress in your book the value of maintaining hygiene, which can be difficult in a sport like wrestling that involves a lot of physical contact. Do you have a self-care regimen you stick to, even with shared mats and perspiration?
SM: Sakshi Malik I don’t concentrate on keeping the mat immaculate when I’m training. The cleaners can clean it up a little if it’s obviously filthy, but I rarely notice.
The mat is holy to me; it is a place of devotion. Even though I’m not particularly religious or light lamps every day, those two to three hours feel like my prayer time when I’m on the mat.
I don’t consider it nasty because of perspiration, hair, or even blood; it’s just a part of the process and the commitment.
VI: What does an Olympic-winning wrestler’s skincare regimen entail?
SM: I’ve never followed a skincare regimen before. My routine is really basic at age 32: I occasionally apply lip gloss and kajal, and I might use sunscreen if I have an important event. I’m content with my clean skin, therefore I’ve never felt the need for anything more involved. One thing, though, is that I adore scents.
VI: What kind of perfume do you wearSakshi Malik
SM: I’m not going to be able to pronounce the name at this time, to be honest. But I own three or four brands. I also own Gucci.
VI: You stated that prior to 2015, you didn’t wear makeup. Which beauty item is your favorite now that you have it?
SM: I think wearing blush makes my smile look better, and I like it. I can now get ready in about fifteen minutes, so I don’t need hair and makeup specialists when I go to events. My hair is easier to manage because I like to keep it short. Kajal was the first makeup product I learnt how to use, and I can’t picture my life without it. If I could only wear one piece of makeup for a whole year, it would be Kajal.
VI: What cravings do you find yourself giving in to, and how significant has your diet been for you?
SM: Sakshi MalikWhen I have a tournament coming up, my regimen varies from year to year. I give myself permission to indulge in delicacies after the competition.
in the first week. But I have to be really diligent while I’m training. For instance, I refuse to eat anything that is prepared at home during a competition period, such as Maggi, noodles, or bhature.
VI: You’ve said that you occasionally feel like the underdog, particularly in interviews when Babita Phogat and Vinesh Phogat would nominate one another as the most likely winners. What was your response to that?
As it occurred, I would tell myself, “I’m working harder, I’m more dedicated.” I firmly believed that I would prevail. God blessed me with a medal at my first Olympics because of how dedicated I wasSakshi Malik
Because of this, I stated with assurance that even Sakshi Malikif Vinesh and Babita named each other,
There is a lot of discussion about how women are pressured to have a particular appearance. Despite the fact that wrestling is mostly about performance, girls may occasionally feel self-conscious due to the constant presence of social expectations. How do you feel about this?
girls to go beyond the here and now and concentrate on their objectives. You can reach your goals more quickly if you take care of your body now Sakshi Malik
Despite my quite ordinary appearance, I am admired by others today since I have received a medal. I would have most likely been married into a typical family if I hadn’t won anything. Sakshi Malik They claim I’m pretty now, though.
I would like to inform them that my medals make me appear attractive to you. The accomplishment is what makes you lovely and speaks for youSakshi Malik
