Pro Wrestling League auction: Yui Susaki, Antim Panghal most wanted by teams in PWL restart

India’s World Championships bronze medal winning star Antim Panghal went for Rs 52 lakh to the UP Dominators. (File)

Women wrestlers dominated the auctions of Pro Wrestling League on Saturday as Japanese stalwart Yui Susaki attracted a record bid of Rs 60 lakhs from the Haryana Thunders to make her the most expensive player in the league’s history as the tournament restarts after being hosted last in 2019.

India’s World Championships bronze medal winning star Antim Panghal went for Rs 52 lakh to the UP Dominators while Robert Baran of Poland became the male wrestler who received the highest bid at the auction with a bid of Rs 55 lakhs. The 2025 World Championships medallist in the 125 kg was snapped up by Maharashtra Kesari.

The U23 World champion in 65kg, Sujeet Kalkal became the most expensive Indian male wrestler after Delhi Dangal Warriors fought with Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals hard before securing his services for Rs 52 lakhs.

Multiple teams started the bidding war for Susaki but in the end it was Haryana who prevailed after they missed out on Paris Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat earlier, who was sold for Rs 51 lakhs to Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals.

Robert Baran came as a surprise pick for the most expensive male wrestler as the Pole was swept up by Maharashtra Kesari after a frenetic bidding war between two teams. All Category A+ wrestlers entered the auction with a base price of ₹18 lakh, but several names saw significant escalations. Delhi Dangal Warriors also strengthened their roster with Turan Bayramov from Azerbaijan, while UP Dominators added consistency through Mikhailov Vasyl and Arman Andreasyan.

In the second round, Sujeet Kalkal was the pick of the lot while Tokyo Games Olympian Deepak Punia went at base price. Delhi Dangal Warriors were among the most active teams in this round, further adding Iran’s Hadi Vafaeipour in the men’s 86 kg category for ₹26 lakhs, along with Mexico’s Karla Acosta in the women’s 57 kg division.

Haryana Thunders, meanwhile, made a major statement in women’s wrestling by acquiring Olympic medalist Iryna Koliadenko for ₹44 lakhs in the women’s 62 kg category, in addition to Azerbaijan’s Ashirov Ashraf in men’s 86 kg.

Maharashtra Kesari focused on depth and balance, securing Asian Games medallist Deepak Punia in the men’s 86 kg category and Manisha Bhanvala in women’s 57 kg. Punjab Royals signed Dinesh Gulia (₹36 lakhs), Priya Malik (₹29 lakhs), and Roksana Zasina across multiple weight categories.

UP Dominators added to their roster with Nisha Dahiya in women’s 62 kg at the base price and Rahul Dalal in men’s 57 kg, while Tigers of Mumbai Dangal did not register any picks in this round.