Pooja Dhanda creates history with wrestling bronze in World Championship

Pooja Dhanda created history for India in the World Wrestling Championships by securing the bronze medal with a stunning 10-7 win over the 2017 European champion Grace Jacob Bullen in Budapest on Thursday.

Dhanda became only the fourth Indian woman wrestler after Alka Tomar, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat to secure a medal in the World Championships. Earlier, in the men’s section, Bajrang Punia had secured a historic silver medal, making him the only Indian wrestler to win two medals in the event. 

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Dhanda’s bronze medal was the first for India in six years, with Babita Phogat having won the bronze medal in 2012. 

Dhanda’s efforts was the only saving grace for India on a day when the other big names in wrestling failed to make it to the medal round. Ritu Phogat could not emulate the effort of her sisters as she crashed out of contention for a medal. Sakshi Malik, who had won bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics, squandered a 2-1 lead and was eliminated from the medal’s race. 

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In the men’s section, none of the four Indian wrestlers could make it to the medal rounds in the Greco-Roman category.

Dhanda’s bronze in the World Championship continued her great run in 2018, when she settled for silver in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

Dhanda’s bronze medal was the first for India in six years, with Babita Phogat having won the bronze medal in 2012. 

Dhanda’s efforts was the only saving grace for India on a day when the other big names in wrestling failed to make it to the medal round. Ritu Phogat could not emulate the effort of her sisters as she crashed out of contention for a medal. Sakshi Malik, who had won bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics, squandered a 2-1 lead and was eliminated from the medal’s race. 

In the men’s section, none of the four Indian wrestlers could make it to the medal rounds in the Greco-Roman category.

Dhanda’s bronze in the World Championship continued her great run in 2018, when she settled for silver in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.