Top Indian wrestler quits after federation elects ally of controversial former chief

CNN —

The only Indian woman wrestler ever to win an Olympic medal said she will quit the sport in protest after the country’s wrestling federation announced it would replace its president, who is accused of sexually harassing female athletes, with his close ally.

Sakshi Malik told a news conference in New Delhi on Thursday that it had taken a lot of “courage” to fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, a controversial and powerful politician from the country’s ruling party and former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

“We fought with all we had,” she said, shortly after the new president was announced.

Holding back tears, Malik, 31, placed her footwear in front of her in a symbolic gesture of hanging up her shoes.

“Upcoming female wrestlers will also face exploitation,” she said.

“If (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s) business partner and a close aide is elected as the new president, I quit wrestling.”

Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik is detained by the police during a protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in New Delhi on May 28, 2023.

Malik, who won bronze in the women’s freestyle 58 kilograms at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was among several leading wrestlers who in January supported demands for an inquiry after allegations came to light against Singh of sexual harassment of younger athletes.

Delhi police in June charged Singh with assault, stalking, and sexual harassment. He has not been arrested and has denied all allegations.

Speaking to CNN on Friday, Singh’s lawyer Rajiv Mohan, said: “We are denying these charges as a whole. It is not possible that these alleged offenses took place over the years, in the presence of brothers, husbands and friends, and no one would say anything. Why would a lady