Velenšek won her first two matches to fall to Olympic champion Kayli Harrison of the US in the quarter-finals, but managed to grab the third place through repechage, beating the previous world champion Kyong Sol of North Korea.

"I don't know what to say. I had hoped for something more, but bronze is a very nice result and I'm over the moon," Velenšek told the press after winning her first medal at world championships.

Velenšek's appearance was Slovenia's last individual appearance at the championships. Team events for both men and women are scheduled for Sunday.