Who is Anshu Malik, The Indian Wrestler Competing at Women's 57kg Category in Paris Olympics 2024?

Anshu Malik (born 5 August 2001) is an accomplished Indian freestyle wrestler who competes in the 57 kg weight category. At just 21 years old and standing at 5 foot 3 inches, she has made a significant mark in international wrestling competitions.

She gained international recognition by winning the silver medal at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships held in Oslo, Norway, making her the first Indian female wrestler to achieve this feat.

Anshu has also secured multiple medals in various championships, showcasing her talent and dedication to the sport. She is now all set for her second Olympic appearance, having qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024. Here is all you need to know about the Indian wrestler:

Early Life and Education

Born on August 5, 2001, in the village of Nidani, Haryana, Anshu Malik comes from a family with a wrestling background. Her father, Dharamvir, represented the Indian junior wrestling team in the 1990s, and the sport was an integral part of life in her village. He worked with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Anshu's interest in wrestling began at the age of 11 when she observed her brother, Shubham, training and expressed her desire to participate. Her father supported her ambitions, leading her to train at the Chaudhary Bharat Singh Memorial School under coach Jagdish Sheoran, who continues to mentor her.

Personal Life

Anshu's personal life is closely intertwined with her wrestling career. She has faced challenges, including injuries, but has shown resilience in overcoming them.

After a significant recovery period, she returned to competition and won the National Wrestling Championships against Sarita Mor. Anshu has also trained with renowned wrestlers, such as the undefeated Japanese wrestler Akari Fujinami, in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Wrestling Career

Anshu Malik's wrestling career has been marked by a series of impressive achievements. She won her first medal, a silver, at the 2016 Asian cadet championships, followed by a bronze at the 2016 world cadet championships.

In 2017, she became the world cadet champion in the 60kg category and continued to excel by winning the 2018 Asian cadet title and bronze at the world cadet and junior championships.

In 2019, she claimed gold at the Asian junior championships, and her transition to the senior level in 2020 was seamless, with notable performances including a silver medal at the Matteo Pellicone ranking series and bronze at the Asian Championships.

Anshu qualified for her first Olympics in Tokyo 2020, where she faced tough competition and was eliminated in the round of 16. However, she quickly rebounded by winning a historic silver medal at the 2021 World Championships.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she celebrated her 21st birthday by winning another silver medal. Her consistent performances earned her the Arjuna Award, India's second-highest honor for sportspersons.

The young wrestler qualified for Paris 2024 in the women's 57kg freestyle category via the Asian wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in April this year. She also bagged a silver medal at the Budapest Ranking Series in June.