A day after India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu silenced her critics by saying that she is proud to win the silver medal in BWF World Championship, Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik insisted that athletes always aim for medals so that fingers are not pointed at them.
Like PV Sindhu, Sakshi too faced criticism after she had to settle for a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in April and recently crashed out of the Yasar Dogu International in Istanbul before reaching the medal round.
“We want to win medal every time we step on the mat. Only we know how we face people when we return without medal. It becomes so tough to answer when people ask questions,” Sakshi told PTI in an interaction after a training session in Lucknow.
“We also want to perform well so that no one points fingers at us and that we face no questions for which we have no answer.”
Sakshi conceded that recent results are not according to expectations but asserted that it was not due to lack of effort.
“After Rio, I have done well in many championships. There are always ups and downs in athletes’ life but we always try to give our 100 per cent and bring laurels for the country. There is no lack of effort during training,” she said.
Sakshi, who will compete in the 62kg category in Jakarta, also admitted that she needs to get stronger mentally, going into the Games.
“I need to be strong mentally and get better. JSW has helped me in taking help of a sports psychologist. I have been advised to meditate and develop positive thinking and think about my strong moves.”
The Asian Games will be held from 18 August to 2 September in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
