She knows Thursday is going to be her toughest opposition which she has not even faced in her playing days. She will not have to fight against only the presidential candidate in Thursday's all-important election. 

Rather, she will have to overcome the political support her opposition candidate Sanjay Singh will get from the top brass of the country's ruling party. 

She is Anita Sheoran, the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and the first-ever female candidate who will be contesting for the president's post in the election of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The election is scheduled to take place at the IOA office in New Delhi on Thursday.

The wrestlers led by three ace India internationals Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia had stormed the country’s sports fraternity, through protest against the Federation’s former president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with the demand of investigation and resignation from the president’s chair. Their protest at Jantar Mantar for more than a month created a huge impact across the country.

Mr Singh, a member of the ruling BJP, was accused by the wrestlers of sexually harassing several female athletes. These allegations have stirred a nationwide controversy, leading to widespread protests demanding his arrest.

Anita, the 39-year-old wrestler who also is one of the witnesses of the former WFI president's inappropriate behavior towards female athletes is aware of the strength her opposition has. Still, she asserts her fight will continue.

Out of 50 state associations, the presidents and secretaries of 49 state associations have the voting power. Haryana Wrestling Association has not been allowed to vote due to some legal problem. 

Speaking to Parallel Sports from New Delhi on Wednesday Anita said, “I am representing the players. I am representing the common people of the whole country to whom Brij Bhushan's corruption has been exposed after the protest. I know Sanjay Singh is not only blessed by Brij Bhushan, but he also will get the political favor from BJP top brass to win. On the contrary, I had talks with some of the state association secretaries and presidents. I do not have the political strength."

she added, "Still, I have a belief that even the people close to Brij Bhushan will raise their consciousness and do justice. If you talk about the election, I know it is a number game. Still, I feel the BJP top brass will raise their good sense and not try to manipulate the state associations to vote for evil. The whole country is aware of Brij Bhushan’s corrupt activities. The voters who also are aware of Brij Bhushan's corruption must raise their good sense and vote for the reforms.” 

Anita asserted that her fight will continue even if she loses. But if she wins then in a bid to make reforms her primary aim will be to provide safety for the female wrestlers during their stay at the national camps. Anita concluded, “I also want to develop infrastructure to uplift wrestling across the country. I want to engage the country’s top wrestlers also in the reform work.”