What felt like an unending wait for a medal at the Rio Olympics ended late last night when Sakshi Malik bagged a bronze medal after defeating Kyrgyzstan's Aisuluu Tynybekova in women's freestyle 58 Kg wrestling. It was a momentous occasion, not least because the 23-year-old is the first female Indian wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics.
Twitter exploded in joy. From sportspersons and celebrities to actors and politicians, there is no Indian left on Twitter who hasn't congratulated Malik.
Sakshi Malik creates history! Congratulations to her for the Bronze. The entire nation is rejoicing.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016
On this very auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sakshi Malik, a daughter of India, wins a Bronze & makes all of us very proud. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016
#SakshiMalik is a reminder of what cn happn if u don't kill a girl child.When d going gets tough,its our girls who get going &save our pride
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 18, 2016
A great athlete performs when it matters most and #SakshiMalik did just that! Our 1st medal at #Rio2016 ,1st of many for young Sakshi.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 18, 2016
#sakshimalik thank you. Proud of every indian athlete that is fighting the best to make us shine. #respecttheeffortnotjusttheresult
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) August 18, 2016
#SakshiMalik We want you to know that India loves you.
Go Girl ...We celebrate you with pride. pic.twitter.com/CkfMsppotY
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) August 18, 2016
#SakshiMalik has salvaged the pride of a billion people.This must become the moment when we inspire ourselves to turn Indian sport around
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 18, 2016
Congratulations to #SakshiMalik on winning Bronze. Thank you for giving us a moment of joy and pride. pic.twitter.com/922WF959wy
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 18, 2016
Bow down to #SakshiMalik 's mother as well,who encouraged her 2 pursue wrestling.Tdy a country of1.25bn is rejoicing
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 18, 2016
What great news to wake up to! #SakshiMalik, your resilience at #Rio2016 has made whole of India proud. Many Congratulations!!!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 18, 2016
Congratulations, #SakshiMalik ! Congratulations India! Woohoo! pic.twitter.com/wntHCF2WWm
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 18, 2016
Thank you #SakshiMalik - The first medal, A woman, wrestling- a million different victories in that one win. #girlpower
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 18, 2016
What a sweet win for India! On the Rakshabandhan diwas Congratulations #SakshiMalik from all of us.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 18, 2016
A medal! And a first for a woman wrestler! Hopefully, the first of many. Congratulations to the tough #SakshiMalik
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 18, 2016
The innocent smile of achievement and our smile is of immense pride.....#SakshiMalik is the hope for the future.... pic.twitter.com/WTdJ1yZ43k
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) August 18, 2016
And for all the male chauvinists in India, think again. It was a woman who made India look good with its first medal! #SakshiMalik
— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) August 18, 2016
#SakshiMalik gave a great gift to #Ind
Had it not for a freak injury-@phogat_vinesh was also on verge of a glorious medal!
Proud of you!
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) August 17, 2016
These great pictures from #SakshiMalik 's home will resonate throughout #Ind https://t.co/fAsFnuKjwb
— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) August 17, 2016
Congratulations #SakshiMalik for winning BronzeMedal in wrestling at #Rio2016 . We are proud of you.
— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) August 18, 2016
Congratulations Sakshi Malik! 1st Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal. Well done. You have done India proud!
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) August 18, 2016
साक्षी मालिक - शाबाश. भारत को तुम पर गर्व है.
Sakshi Malik - shabash. India is proud of you. #SakshiMalik
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 18, 2016
Congratulations, Sakshi Malik!