The postponement of Tokyo Olympics due to the outbreak of coronavirus has come as a silver lining for the young and future of Indian women’s wrestling Anshu Malik. At the age of 19, she has already played two senior competitions, winning medals in both. Now, with time as her best friend, she is confident to take on any challenge for the spot in the Indian team for the Olympics. “I am ready for it. I have been working hard and I don’t think of the result much. I can only train rest I have left in god’s hand,” says Anshu.
The Haryana born grappler came into the senior team after overpowering the world championship medallist Pooja Dhanda in the national trials in 57kg women’s wrestling held in January for the Rome Ranking Series and Asian Championship tournaments.
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In her debut senior tournament, she won a silver medal (at Rome Ranking Series) followed by a bronze at the Asian meet. The medal-winning performance had assured her place in the Indian squad for the Olympic Qualifiers. But the pandemic forced the United World Wrestling (UWW) to postpone the qualification tournament to next year.
Anshu is currently in self-isolation in her home in Nidani, Haryana due to the nationwide lockdown. Although she does miss stepping on the mat, she still makes sure to be in top shape and ready for the Olympic preparation at the national camp.
“I train with my younger brother Shubham. He is also a wrestler so he helps me practise my techniques. Besides this, my father Dharamvir also helps in physical training,” the 2017 cadets world champion told WrestlingTV.
She also spends her time watching bouts of top wrestlers in her weight class such as Risako Kawai and Odunayo Adekuoroye. Anshu believes there is a long way to go before she can match the level of these wrestlers but is ready to give her all to be a champion.
“I watch videos of top wrestlers from my weight category. Analyse them and try figuring out my mistakes too. I have the power and endurance but I lack the techniques and the mental strength”.
To build strength mentally, she has started doing yoga thrice a week. She says it is a very good exercise and helps her keep calm.
But while she is stuck at home and a lot of spare time in hand, Anshu does one thing that she loves doing – watch TV. She spends hours watching reality shows and cartoons and sometimes Ramayana and Mahabharata. The young talent that is Anshu is ready to take on the world and carry a billion hopes when she takes to the mat once again. “I miss the mat. I am training hard and once things normalize, I will work harder to cover the missed time”.
