Inida's Bajrang Punia put behind the disappointment of a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to finish with a bronze at Wrestling World Championships in Nur-Sultan on Friday. Bajrang defeated Mongolia's Tulga Ochir 8-7 in the bronze medal match of 65kg freestyle category.

Bajrang Punia now has 3 World Championships medals, including podium finishes in successive editions. The Asian Games gold medallist had won his first World Championships medal -- a bronze in 2013. He finished with a silver in 2018 in Budapest.

There was delight for Ravi Kumar Dahiya as well as the Indian wrestler won a bronze on World Championships debut. Ravi defeated Reza Atrinagharchi of Iran in the 57kg freestyle bronze medal match on Friday evening. Ravi was under a bit of pressure after trailing 0-2 at the end of the 1st period but he never let go off his attacking instincts to take the match 6-3.

Ravi Kumar's bronze medal should give the Indian camp a lot of joy. Apart from sealing the Tokyo Olympic quota berth in the 57kg freestyle event, Ravi Kumar's performances in Nur-Sultan is a big confidence-booster for India.

Ravi had beaten European champion Arsen Harutyunyan and former world champion Yuki Takahashi en route to the podium in Nur-Sultan. Ravi lost his semi-final bout to Zaur Uguev 4-6 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Bajrang started on the backfoot against Ochir, the U-23 Asian Champion. The Indian wrestler trailed 2-0 and the defecit became 6 points when the Mongolian came up with stunning 4-point throw towards the end of the first period. However, Bajrang, known for 2nd period comebacks, was at it again as he clinched 8 points to hold off the Mongolian wrestler.

in 2013 World Championships

in 2018 World Championships

In 2019 World Championships@BajrangPunia becomes the first Indian wrestler to clinch 3 Worlds' medals after defeating Tulga Tumur Ochir in medal match



Congratulations, Bajrang! #JSWSports #WrestleNurSultan pic.twitter.com/COKTf8nb8M JSW Sports (@jswsports) September 20, 2019

Bajrang Punia had headed into Nur-Sultan Wrestling World Championships with as the overwhelming favourite and was looking set for a finish on the top step of the podium until he encountered local wrestler Daulet Niyazbekov.

On Thursday, Bajrang had begun the bout on the backfoot, trailing Niyazbekov 2-0 and fell further when the Kazak wrestler came up with a 4-point throw at the start of the 2nd period. The Indian corner challenged the referee's decision to award the 4-point hold even as the move was seemingly initiated by Bajrang.

Bajrang lost the challenge and Niyazbekov extended the lead to 7-2. However, with the clock ticking down, Bajrang came up with an aggressive approach and put immense pressure on the home wrestler. Just when it looked Bajrang would do enough to seal a place in the final, the bout ended at 9-9 and Niyazbekov won by criteria.

The result came down to the 4-point hold that went in favour of Daulet Niyazbekov at the start of the second period.

According to Article 31 of United World Wrestling rulebook,

In case of a tie by points, the winner will be declared by successively considering: - the highest value of holds; - the least amount of cautions; - the last technical point(s) scored.

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