Delhi Dangal Warriors to face Haryana Thunders in blockbuster PWL 2026 final
Noida, Feb 1
Delhi Dangal Warriors booked their place in a thrilling final of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 after edging past Maharashtra Kesari in a pulsating semi final 2 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Saturday night.
In a contest that swung dramatically from bout to bout, Delhi showed composure under pressure to claim a 5-4 victory and set up a mouth-watering title clash against Haryana Thunders.
Shubham Kaushik was named player of the match for his extraordinary comeback win in the 57kg men's category that kept Delhi alive at a crucial stage, while Manisha Bhanvala earned fighter of the match honours for her dominant display that anchored Maharashtra's charge in the same weight category for women.
Delhi struck first in the 62kg women's contest through Anjli, who produced a composed and clinical performance against Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova. Mixing takedowns, push-outs, and a decisive four-point move in the Power Minute, Anjli secured a convincing 12-4 win to hand Delhi the early lead. Maharashtra responded immediately in emphatic fashion as Manisha Bhanvala dominated Karla Godinez Gonzalez in the 57kg women's tie, overwhelming her opponent with relentless takedown-turn combinations to claim a 15-0 technical superiority victory and level the tie.
Momentum swung Maharashtra's way in the heavyweight clash, where captain Robert Baran continued his unbeaten run. After conceding an early activity point, Baran took complete control in the second period, unleashing takedowns and exposures, especially during the Power Minute, to defeat Ronak 11-1 and put Maharashtra ahead. The advantage grew in the 53kg women's contest as Nishu Bhanvala edged a dramatic contest against Saarika. A strong first period gave Nishu a cushion, and despite Saarika's spirited comeback in the second, Maharashtra secured a narrow 7-6 win to move 3-1 ahead.
Facing pressure of loss, Delhi found a lifeline through Shubham Kaushik in the 57kg men's category. Carrying a sore knee, Kaushik produced one of the moments of the tournament, overturning a significant deficit in the Power Minute with a stunning four-point exposure followed by a four-point takedown to snatch an 11-10 victory and keep Delhi in contention.
The tie was levelled in the 76kg women's bout as European champion Anastasiya Alpyeeva showcased her experience against Harshita Mor. After conceding early points, Alpyeeva regrouped with sharp takedowns and push-outs, maintaining control in the second period to close out a 7-5 win and bring the semi-final to 3-3.
Delhi then surged ahead for the first time since the opening contest as Vafaeipour Hadi Bakhtiar edged Amit 11-9 in a fiercely contested 86kg encounter, making the decisive difference with back-to-back takedowns in the Power Minute.
The defining moment came in the 74kg men's tie between Turan Bayramov and Yash. Bayramov dominated the opening period to race into a 5-0 lead, before Yash mounted a strong comeback in the second period to draw level at 5-5. With the bout tied, Bayramov was declared the winner on a higher technique criterion, giving Delhi their fifth win and confirming their place in the final.
The final bout was decided by forfeit, with Tevanyan Vazgen awarded the win, but the outcome was already sealed as Delhi Dangal Warriors closed the semi-final 5-4.
Delhi Dangal Warriors will now face Haryana Thunders in the PWL 2026 final on Sunday.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud of our women wrestlers! Anjli was so clinical, and Manisha Bhanvala's technical superiority win was a masterclass. It's fantastic to see Indian women dominating on the mat. The final is going to be epic – Haryana Thunders are a strong team, but Delhi has the momentum!
While the win is great, I have to say the ending felt a bit anticlimactic with that forfeit. Also, the win by criteria for Bayramov was so tense! PWL is doing wonders for wrestling in India, bringing in international talent and giving our athletes this platform. Sunday final is a must-watch!
As a new fan of wrestling from the US, this league is incredible. The level of competition is world-class. Robert Baran was a beast, and Shubham's heart was inspiring. The final between Delhi and Haryana is the perfect matchup. Hope it gets good international streaming coverage!
Haryana Thunders, get ready! Delhi is coming for that trophy. 🏆 The way the team fought back from 3-1 down shows their character. Yash's comeback in his bout was also brilliant, even if he lost on criteria. The final will be a proper dangal! #DelhiDangalWarriors
Respect to Maharashtra Kesari for putting up such a fight. The Bhanvala sisters were phenomenal. But Delhi's mix of young Indian talent and experienced international wrestlers seems to be the winning formula. A respectful suggestion for the organizers: please improve the stadium seating, it was packed!