Sports fraternity congratulates Sakshi Malik for 'lifting the spirits of every Indian'

New Delhi/Rio de Janerio, Aug 18 (ANI): The Sports fraternity on Thursday took to Twitter to extend their wishes to freestyle wrestler Sakshi Malik, who ended India's agonising wait for medals at the ongoing Rio Olympics in Brazil. It was celebration time for India and its supporters as Malik won a bronze medal in the women's freestyle 58 kg category in Rio on Wednesday. Indian Boxing champion Vijender Singh said, "Bow down to #SakshiMalik 's mother as well, who encouraged her 2 pursue wrestling. Today a country of1.25 bn is rejoicing." "She has done what no Indian girl has done before. A real hero #SakshiMalik u have set a path 4 many more 2 follow u," said ace Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar. "Congratulations and felicitations to Sakshi Malik. What a great performance. Thank you for lifting the spirits of every Indian," tweeted Olympic Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. "Congrats #SakshiMalik for the #Bronze @ #Rio2016 . #IND's daughter, we are proud of you. Well done," said Athens Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. "Wowwwwww amazing amazinggggg #SakshiMalik Take a bow," said ace Indian badminton player Jwala Gutta. "Congratulations #SakshiMalik for making all of India proud #Rio2016," said Indian tennis player Leander Paes. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also took to micro-blogging website to congratulate the 23-year-old Haryana wrestler saying, "What great news to wake up to! #SakshiMalik, your resilience at #Rio2016 has made whole of India proud. Many Congratulations!!!" "#SakshiMalik is a reminder of what can happen if u don't kill a girl child. When d going gets tough, its our girls who get going &save our pride," said former swashbuckling Indian opener Virendra Sehwag. "Woke up to the wonderful news of #SakshiMalik. Wish your sisters strength & confidence to fulfil their dreams this #rakshabandhan," said cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle. Meanwhile, Indian gymnast Deepa Karmakar in Rio also congratulated Malik, saying she was very happy and hoped that other athletes of the contingent take inspiration from this remarkable feat and win more medals. With the win, Sakshi became the fourth Indian woman athlete to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleshwari, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal. After going down 2-9 against Russia's Valeriia Koblova in the quarter-finals, Sakshi received another chance at a medal via repechage and made full use of the second life by outplaying Mongolian wrestler Orkhon Purevdorj 12-3 to advance to the bronze-medal match. She also became the fourth Indian wrestler to win a medal in Olympics after Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt. (ANI)