New Delhi: Indian wrestler Anshu Malik has decided to take break from the sport following Paris Olympics 2024 disappointment. The 23-year-old from Haryana failed to advance in the women’s 57kg freestyle, going down to United States of America’s Helen Maroulis (eventual bronze medallist) 7-2 in the pre-quarterfinal.
Despite showing the determination, Anshu, who appeared in her second Olympic Games, couldn’t crack the code to breach the American grappler’s defence. She will shift her focus to the Los Angeles edition, which is four years away from now.
“It’s hard to accept, but this is a game and winning and losing is part of it. It doesn’t matter what the result is, I LOVE WRESTLING. Now, this will be a new beginning for LA 2028. I know I’m a FIGHTER and will come back stronger than ever,” an excerpt from Anshu’s long post on Instagram read.
“But right now, I am taking a short break to get physically and emotionally fit. In the meantime, I’ll see where I need to make changes,” she added.
Anshu Malik’s Paris journey
The Indian youngster earned her Paris Games quota after winning a gold medal at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in April this year in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She followed it with a silver medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, making her a series medal contender from India.
However, Anshu suffered a shoulder strain during a training session in June in the run up to the Paris Olympics. But MRI scans permitted her to continue her training, and thus she went to train in Yokohama in Japan, where she trained with top wrestlers such as four-time world champion Yui Sasaki (women’s 50kg) and two-time world champion Akari Fujinami (women’s 53kg).
In Paris, Anshu was up against one of the most reputed wrestlers in the world, but she fought with a lot of gumption to concede just two points in the first round. Helen attacked Anshu’s left leg and then pushed the Indian to the mat to take a 2-0 lead.
The Indian kept Helen, a three-time world champion, at bay in the first round before the American came back to show her mettle in the second and win despite getting a warning.
(With inputs from PTI)
Anshu Malik earned her Paris Games quota after winning a gold medal at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in April this year in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She followed it with a silver medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, making her a series medal contender from India. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
