UP announces Rani Laxmi Bai award for Sakshi Malik

Akhilesh Yadav said: “I, on behalf of the state of Uttar Pradesh, congratulate her on this momentous occasion.”

The Uttar Pradesh government will honour Sakshi Malik, the first woman Indian wrestler to win a medal in Olympics, with the coveted Rani Laxmi Bai award.

India's Sakshi Malik, with her coach Kuldeep Singh, celebrates after winning bronze against Kyrgyzstan's Aisuluu Tynybekova in the women's wrestling freestyle 58-kg competition (PTI)

This was announced by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday at a Raksha Bandhan ceremony in the state capital. He said Sakshi has made the nation proud by winning bronze at the Rio Olympics.

Akhilesh Yadav said: “I, on behalf of the state of Uttar Pradesh, congratulate her on this momentous occasion.”

The Rani Laxmi Bai award carries a cash prize of Rs 3.11 lakh, a citation and a statue of Rani Laxmi Bai. The 23-year-old won the bronze in the 58-kg category wrestling on Wednesday.

Read | How Sakshi Malik turned around the match to clinch Bronze at Rio Olympics