Even as she prepares to lead India's hopes on the wrestling mat at the Asian Championships, Sakshi Malik admits to a touch of nerves. "I shouldn't admit this but I am a little worried about competing," says Malik over the phone from Lucknow where she is currently part of the national camp.
Malik hasn't performed particularly well at the continental tournament. At the Bangkok edition last year, Malik sank without a trace, finishing fifth out of eight competitors in the women's 60kg division. This even as nine other members of the Indian contingent returned with a medal. There wasn't any fuss raised over the result because admittedly, the then 23-year-old was a relative unknown.