Pooja lights up day for India at Worlds with bronze medal

Budapest:  Pooja Dhanda became only the fourth Indian woman grappler and first in six years to win a medal at the World Championship, grabbing a bronze with a stunning 10-7 win over the 2017 European champion Grace Jacob Bullen. 

One of the two wrestlers in a medal contention, the 24-year-old Pooja executed a four-point throw in each of the two periods in the 57kg contest to deliver the best performance of her career.

It is second big medal for Pooja this season, having won a silver the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. 

Only Alka Tomar (2006), Geeta (2012) and Babita Phogat (2012) have won bronze medals for India at the Worlds before Pooja's memorable medal victory. 

It is India's second medal at the ongoing championship after Bajrang Punia's silver medal performance in the men's freestyle 65kg category. 

"It's a proud feeling for me. I have done my country proud with this medal. I am very happy with this effort. In the beginning,I had a chance for a counter attack and I got a good lead. 

I was confident that I will pull it off," said an elated Pooja Dhanda. Asked about her opponent, Pooja said she came prepared to tackle her.