Former wrestler Sakshi Malik has made the country proud several times with her skills and medals. But last year was tough for her with the protests against Brij Bhushan and Vinesh Phogat. The wrestlers accused the politician of sexual harassment and protested for months. In a recent interview with Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist with host Siddhaarth Aalambayan, the wrestler talked about how, growing up, she wasn’t told to let her hair grow!
Watch the video below!
Sakshi Malik On Growing Up
When asked about how she brought gold medals with long hair and even her nails, wrestler Sakshi Malik said, “Growing up we were told to keep our hair just like boys, and even look like them. Because according to them, that’s how a person would reach their full potential. Just like in Dangal when the two girls’ dad forbid them to grow their hair, and when I went into wrestling, I saw that everyone’s mindset was the same.”
Also Read: Sakshi Malik Claims Babita Phogat Planned Wrestler’s Protest To Become WFI Chief. We’re Shocked!
She further said, “Girls who used to grow their hair would be considered weak and this sport anyway was considered a manly sport. But when I went outside India, I used to see how girls there would keep their hair open and had their nails done, then we started to see how the world is. But people had fitted this notion of not growing your hair deep into our brains.”
Sakshi Malik On Being Bullied On Her Looks
On being asked if she ever faced any bullying while growing up as a woman in sports, she said, “Yes, people would say ‘Oh you look like a boy.’ And while we were training, our bodies became muscular, so that would be a topic of discussion.” Well, we believe whatever she does, is very brave and we as a country are proud of her!