No one has shown up just how tragic Haryana's abysmal gender ratio of 879 women for 1000 men – the lowest among India's full-fledged states – is than the women who wrestle. When Sakshi Malik wrapped herself in the Indian flag after winning a bronze at Rio, it was the most powerful message sent yet to Haryana's men.

But what went into Malik's extraordinary achievement? What does it take for her and her fellow wrestlers to brave the inimical conditions, the extreme heat and the cold, the poverty and the patriarchy, to put themselves through the grind so that they can take on the world's best?

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Photographer Anjan Nag found out just that over the two weeks he spent at the Sir Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, Haryana, first in December, 2014 and then in February, 2015. The women wrestlers whom he photographed subjected themselves to a gruelling schedule every day. Arriving at the stadium, winter or summer, by 5 in the morning – some of them live as far as 15 or even 20 km away – they warmed up and exercised till 8 in the morning, and then came back at 2 in the afternoon to practise till 5 in the evening.

Admittedly, Haryana's sports policy has ensured the development of an infrastructure and a culture that enables and encourages an early entry into sports. But it still needs blood, toil, tears and sweat to stay on a journey that can lead to an Olympic medal.

The Wrestlers

Sakshi Malik during a gym session
Reena, from Singhpura Kalan, is a silver-medallist in the Asian Cadet Championships, 2015. She lives with her wrestler brother in a small room near the Chottu Ram Stadium.
Mansi (and her younger sister Khushi) cycle to the stadium every day from the outskirts of Rohtak.
Pinki of Rituli village, about 12 km from the stadium, stays in a single room. She won a silver at the Asian Junior Championships, 2016
Bhumi, a security guard’s daughter, is escorted by her father to practice every day
Tina, a schoolteacher's daughter, won a bronze in the Asian Junior Championships, 2016

In the gym

Suman Kundu Malik, a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games, 2010, is an employee of Haryana Police

Wrestling practice

Inspiration and the journey