Naveen Malik (English: Naveen Malik, born November 21, 2002, Sonipat, Haryana) is an Indian freestyle wrestler. He participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and won the gold medal for India in the men’s freestyle 74 kg. He defeated Muhammad Sharif Tahir of Pakistan in the final by a score of 9–0. Earlier, in the year 2022 itself, Naveen Malik had won a bronze medal in the Asian Championship, Ulan Bator in the 70 kg weight category. Recently Naveen also won gold in the Asian Wrestling Championship.
Veen Malik was born on November 21, 2002 in village Pugthala in Sonipat district of Haryana. His father Dharampal told that he made his son a wrestler by feeding him buffalo milk. Now he is proud of his son’s performance. Naveen Malik’s elder brother Praveen is also a wrestler. Seeing his brother’s wrestling, Naveen also became fond of wrestling. After this the father also sent Naveen to take training.
Till the year 2016, both the brothers took training under coach Balwan Singh of Sonipat. In the year 2016, his elder brother Praveen got selected in the Navy. After this, along with Praveen, Naveen also started training with the Navy team. During this period he won gold in many national level competitions. With the help of the villagers, Naveen Malik’s father Dharampal built an Akhara in the village. Naveen Malik wore nappies at the age of just 3 years. Father tells that Naveen started fighting at the age of 4. Even after joining the Navy, Naveen Kumar did not leave wrestling.
Naveen Malik had given trial in 74 categories before the Commonwealth Games by winning gold in Junior, Under-23 and silver in Mongolia. He won gold and got a ticket to Commonwealth. In his very first Commonwealth Games, Naveen hoisted the flag by winning gold. He won a bronze medal in the 70 kg weight category at the 2022 Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Won gold medal in 74 kg weight category in the year 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Naveen Malik won the men’s 74 kg. In the freestyle category, he entered the finals by defeating England’s Charlie Bowling. In the quarterfinal match, he defeated Hong Yew Lu of Singapore, while in the pre-quarterfinal he defeated Ogbonna Emmanuel John of Nigeria. He defeated Muhammad Sharif Tahir of Pakistan in the final by a score of 9–0 and won the gold medal in men’s freestyle 74 kg. Won a bronze medal in the 70 kg weight category at the 2022 Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Won gold medal in 74 kg weight category in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
