The wrestler wrote an open letter on August 22 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, asking if she would win the Award ever in her career.

“I am proud to have been conferred with the Khel Ratna. Every sportsperson dreams of winning all the awards. A sportsperson puts her life at risk for it. I also dream of seeing Arjuna award winner against my name,” the 27-year old wrestler wrote.

“What more medal do I get for the country that I be honoured with the Arjuna award. Or in this wrestling life, I would never have the good luck of winning this award?” Sakshi, who has also won Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of India, said.

Sakshi Malik was one of the only Indians who brought home a medal during the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a gold for India at the Commonwealth Championships and silver at the Asian Championships.

Sakshi won bronze medals at the Asian Championships of 2018 and 2019, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She was also awarded the Padma Shri in the year 2017, which is the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.