Young Ritu Malik kept India in medal contention by reaching the bronze play-off but there was no end to the woes of Sakshi Malik, who suffered a humiliating quarterfinal defeat, and Ritu Phogat at the World Championship here on Wednesday.

Ritu Malik, who had defeated celebrated Geeta Phogat in the trials, edged out Bulgaria's Sofiya Hristova Georgieva 9-8 in the repechage round despite lagging behind twice in an exciting bout. She trailed 0-3 after the first period but a four-point throw in the second period and a step out-point pushed her ahead 5-3. However, the confident Bulgarian reduced the deficit to one point soon.