New Delhi: One went on to make history while the other missed out on much deserved success but there is no hint of jealousy in the equation between Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat and they continue to benefit from each other by training together.
Sakshi scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal when she bagged a bronze at Rio, but Vinesh was unfortunate to bow out of the mega-event with a freak knee injury. She was considered one of the best medal prospects before Rio.
However, Vinesh said that the success at the Olympics has not gone to Sakshi’s head at all and the two still prefer to practice together.
“Sakshi has not changed at all after the Olympic medal. She remains the same and so is our equation. We have known each other from our cadet days. Our bond is very strong. She still looks forward to practising with me. Post Olympics, when I was recovering from my injury, Sakshi would keep asking me when I would return to full fitness and start practicing with her again,” said Vinesh.
Sakshi fights in the 58kg category, while Vinesh’s weight category is 48kg.
Elaborating on how the two wrestlers, with a difference of 10kg between them, benefit by training with one another, Vinesh said, “We have been practice partners for a long time now. Our difference in weight helps us.
“As Sakshi has higher weight, I try to match her strength and that helps me in increasing my power and stamina. On the other hand, my agility helps her improve her speed. Both of us motivate each other all the time,” explained the 22-year-old.
After a nine-month injury lay-off, Vinesh, one of the
Phogat sisters, made a comeback to the mat with a bang and clinched a silver medal at the recently-concluded Asian Championships. She fought in the 55kg category because her doctors and coach Kuldeep Malik had advised her not to lose too much weight post her recovery as that could have weakened her muscles.
“I have been asked to lose weight slowly. I don’t want to fight in 55kg. At the World Championship in August, I want to be back in my original weight category of 48kg,” asserted the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Agencies
