Pooja Dhanda is an Indian freestyle wrestler, who participates in 57 kg women wrestling events. In 2019, she received the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Wiki/Biography
Pooja Dhanda was born on Saturday, 1st January 1994 (age 28 years; as of 2022) in Budana Village in Narnaund, Hisar district, Haryana, India. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. She pursued her higher education from Govt. College, Hisar, Haryana.
Pooja Dhanda’s childhood picture
Wiki/Biography
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 57kgs
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Pooja Dhanda belongs to a Hindu Haryanvi family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Ajmer Dhanda, works as a Truck driver for the Haryana Animal Husbandry centre in Hisar.
Pooja Dhanda with her father
Her mother, Kamlesh Dhanda, is a homemaker.
Pooja Dhanda with her mother
Pooja Dhanda’s elder brother, Sumit Dhanda, works as a Sub Fire Officer at Haryana Fire Service Hisar.
Pooja Dhanda with her elder brother
Career
Judo Wrestler
Pooja Dhanda began her career as a judo wrestler and marked her debut in the Asian Cadet Judo Championship in 2007 and won a bronze medal in her weight category. She then won a gold medal at the Asian Cadet Judo Championship in 2008. However, she met Kripa Shankar Patel Bishnoi at a national camp in Aurangabad, who recommended her to select either judo or wrestling, rather than both, because her physique is more suited to wrestling. In an interview, she talked about this and said,
Since childhood, I wanted to be a wrestler but because of my age, I joined judo in 2007 and won medals for the country. But later when I was 16-year-old, I was advised to opt one sport and I joined wrestling.”
Freestyle Wrestler
In 2010, Pooja made her freestyle wrestling debut at Summer Youth Olympics held in Singapore under the 57kg weight category. She won a silver medal in the championship. She suffered a significant injury during one of her practice sessions at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Lucknow in 2015 following which she could not compete in any wrestling competitions for two years. She was able to recover in 2016 after enduring two surgeries. In an interview, she talked about this and said,
It was a phase I cannot forget easily. There were times when I could stand properly. Those two years derailed my wrestling career, but I was determined to return to the mat and soon made my comeback in the 2017 Pro Wrestling League.”
In 2016, she resumed her practice sessions, and in 2017, she participated in the 57-weight category at Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Championships. She won a bronze medal in the championship
Pooja went on to participate in various wrestling competitions like the Commonwealth games and Pro Wrestling League.
Pooja Dhanda won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
In 2018, she participated in the Pro Wrestling competitions in which she defeated the World and Olympics Champion Helen Maroulis. Pooja recalled the match in an interview, saying,
After the final match, Helen told me ‘I am your fan now’. I was over the moon. I have always admired for her wrestling and beating her twice was a dream come true,”
Pooja Dhanda with Helen Maroulis
Medals
- 2007: Bronze Medal in Asian Cadet Judo Championship
- 2008: Gold Medal in Asian Cadet Judo Championship
- 2010: Silver Medal at Summer Youth Olympics, Singapore
- 2013: Gold Medal at Senior Wrestling Nationals
- 2014: Bronze Medal in Asian Wrestling Championship
- 2017: Bronze Medal at Asian Indoor and Martial Art Championships
- 2018: Silver Medal at Commonwealth Games
Awards
Car Collection
She owns a Kia Seltos GTX Plus.
Pooja Dhanda with her car
Facts/Trivia
- Pooja Dhanda joined the Hisar Mahavir Stadium at the age of 10 to pursue her judo and wrestling training. She was trained by the trainer and wrestler Subash Chander Soni.
- Pooja Dhanda follows a vegetarian diet.
- In 2016, she was offered to play the role of Babita Phogat in Aamir Khan‘s film Dangal. However, she could not get the role owing to her knee injury. During an interview, she talked about this, and said,
It was alright being an actor (as a Cast in Dangal). But I prefer writing my own story.”
- Pooja Dhanda is an avid dog lover. She also has a pet dog in her home.
Pooja Dhanda with her pet dog
- Pooja’s achievements have been lauded by several significant figures, including Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath.
Pooja Dhanda with Narendra Modi
- Her favourite food includes Sarso Ka Saag, Matar Paneer, and Ice Cream.