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Sakshi Malik Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth3 September 1992

Age31 Years

BirthplaceRohtak, Haryana, India

ProfessionFreestyle Wrestler

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSatyawart Kadian

FamilyFather - Sukhbir; Mother - Sudesh; Brother - Sachin Malik

Sakshi Malik Biography

Indian freestyle wrestler Sakshi Malik rose from Rohtak, Haryana to international podiums, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal

Early life and background

Sakshi Malik was born on 3 September 1992 in Rohtak, Haryana. She grew up in a family with close ties to the sport: her grandfather Badlu Ram practiced wrestling and her father Sukhbir encouraged her to pursue the sport. Sakshi began formal wrestling training at about age 12 and trained under coach Ishwar Dahiya at the Chotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak. She attended Vaish Public School and DAV Centenary Public School in Rohtak and later completed a master’s degree in physical education from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak.

Career

Sakshi Malik developed through junior ranks into a consistent international competitor. Early on she won a bronze at the Junior World Championships in the 59 kg category in 2010. In 2014 she took gold at the Dave Schultz International Wrestling Tournament and earned a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, a result she has called one of her favourites and a turning point in her career.

She continued to collect international medals: a bronze at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Doha (2015) and a bronze at the Tunis Ranking Series event in 2022. In May 2016 she secured qualification for the Rio Olympics by winning at the Olympic World Qualifying Tournament.

Sakshi reached the peak of her competitive career at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she defeated Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kazakhstan to win the bronze medal in the 58 kg category. Her Olympic podium finish made her the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal and the fourth Indian woman overall to win an Olympic medal.

Recognition and appointments

Following her Olympic success, Sakshi received numerous honours and appointments. In 2016 she was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and the following year she received the Padma Shri. Around the same period she benefited from several monetary awards and other state recognitions. The Indian Railways appointed her to its commercial department in Delhi soon after Rio, later elevating her to a gazetted officer rank. In September 2016 MDU appointed her as its wrestling director.

Public profile

Sakshi competes in freestyle wrestling, typically in weight categories around 58–62 kg. Outside competition, she is part of the JSW Sports Excellence Program alongside other leading Indian women wrestlers. She practises yoga regularly and enjoys travelling. In addition to her sporting profile, she has modeled on fashion runways and appeared on magazine covers.

Sakshi has been open about the challenges she faced early in her career as a woman entering a traditionally male-dominated sport in her region. She has credited local coaches and family support for helping her continue despite resistance.

Personal life

Sakshi married fellow wrestler Satyawart Kadian on 2 April 2017. Her parents are Sukhbir, a DTC bus conductor, and Sudesh, who worked at an Anganwadi. She has a brother named Sachin Malik.

Controversy and later developments

In January 2023 Sakshi was one of the wrestlers who participated in a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar raising concerns about treatment of women in wrestling. The protest received wide media attention and later the wrestlers opted to pursue legal action. In December 2023 Sakshi announced her retirement from wrestling at a press conference following the Wrestling Federation of India election, citing disappointment with the process and outcomes.

Latest updates

In 2024 Sakshi was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. Her career continues to be remembered for its landmark Olympic achievement and her visibility as a leading Indian woman athlete.
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Recent Work

Bronze at Tunis Ranking Series

Won a bronze medal at the Tunis Ranking Series event in Tunisia

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics (58 kg) — first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal
  2. Silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games (62 kg)
  3. Gold at the Dave Schultz International Wrestling Tournament (2014)
  4. Bronze at the Junior World Championships (59 kg) (2010)
  5. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2016) and Padma Shri (2017)
  6. Named in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people (2024)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sakshi Malik born?

3 September 1992

What is Sakshi Malik known for?

Freestyle Wrestler

What is Sakshi Malik’s marital status?

Married

Who is Sakshi Malik married to?

Satyawart Kadian