BRONZE FOR POOJA AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
BUDAPEST: Pooja Dhanda joined the elite Indian club of women wrestlers to win a World Championship medal when she defeated Grace Bullen of Norway 10-7 in the 57kg at the Papp László Sportaréna on Thursday. Before Pooja, only three Indian women grapplers—alka Tomar in 2006, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat in 2012—had won a bronze at the Worlds.
Pooja, who led 6-1 in the first period, had to go through some harrowing moments in the second period when the Norwegian launched an all-out attack which the Indian managed to stave off, despite giving away some passivity points and step-out points.
In fact, what clinched the bronze playoff bout in Pooja’s favour was the four-pointer which zoomed her to an unassailable lead after the Indian got to Grace’s leg and rolled her for the vital clincher. Earlier, Pooja had defeated Alyona Kolesnil of Azerbaijan 8-4 to reach the bronze medal bout.
Ritu Phogat bowed to the tight defence of Oksana Livach in her bronze play-off in the 50kg as the Ukrainian won 10-5.
However, Rio Olympic bronze medallist Shakshi Malik failed to pass the repechage round, losing to 2-3, including a challenge point to Hungarian Marianna Sastin to bow out of contest.
Phogat seemed to take control in the first period, mostly with the front headlock, only to trail 1-3. But soon after the start of second period, Oksana attacked the Indian’s leg which fetched her two points and another couple for the takedown.