A bronze medal at the Rio Olympics has seen Sakshi Mallik enter the top 5 of the 58 kg Wrestling world rankings on Monday. The 4th ranked grappler is now the only Indian wrestker to be ranked in the top 10 of the United World Wrestling (UWW) rankings, after becoming the country’s first female Olympic medallist in the sport. Injured Vinesh Phogat also climbed up to spots to 11th in the 48 kg category, despite an untimely quarter-final retirement.
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Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, she said, “This is my highest ranking yet so I’m very happy. I personally don’t think much about rankings, as you know if I did, I wouldn’t have been able to win a medal. I was ranked outside the world top 50, so it really doesn’t matter as much, because it’s only a number. My main focus is on winning regular tournaments so that I can win tournaments consistently. This medal is the start of great thing for me, and my training in the near future will reflect that.”
Only two Indian male wrestlers made it into the world top 20. First round knock-out in Rio, Sandeep Tomar is ranked 15 in the 57 kg category. Stalwart Bajrang Punia who failed to make it to Rio is currently placed 18th in the 61 kg category.
Sakshi added, “I have been on a prolonged break due to media commitments off late, but it hasn’t hampered my training, I’m training on a regular basis to improve my fitness as much as possible. From the end of September I will begin practice from then for Grand Prix events. So as off now, I’m just concentrating on building my brand, as you know how important it can be.”
Sakshi was ranked 51 before the Olympics in February, 2016.
