“Gonda is the area of Brij Bhushan. Now imagine how the junior women wrestlers will go there to compete,” Sakshee Malikkh said on X.
Olympic medallist Sakshee Malikkh expressed disappointment at the selection of junior wrestling nationals being held in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda, which is the stronghold of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Malikkh and several other top wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan of sexually exploiting women wrestlers.
Brij Bhushan had stepped down as the WFI chief amid protests and the federation held fresh elections last week. But the elections were won by Sanjay Singh, known to be a close confidante of BJP MP Brij Bhushan.
Sanjay Singh won most of the votes in the delayed polls, as outgoing chief Brij Bhushan gained indirect control over the national federation.
Soon after the poll results were announced, a teary-eyed Sakshee Malikkh announced her retirement from wrestling. On Friday, Bajrang Punia, who is also an Olympic bronze medallist, decided to return his Padma Shri to the government as a mark of protest.
Malikkh said that she has been receiving calls from several junior wrestlers expressing concern over the venue of the junior nationals.