Haryana Thunders made a strong start in the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026 by defeating Punjab Royals 7-2 in their first match at the Noida Indoor Stadium. Demonstrating superiority in various weight categories, Haryana Thunders took an early lead and maintained control throughout the competition, showcasing their determination to win the championship. Punjab Royals struggled to match their opponent’s pace and direction, unable to gain momentum in the face of Haryana’s strategic and high-scoring performance.
The evening commenced with Ashirov Ashraf’s victory in the men’s 86kg category, narrowly defeating Tariel G with a score of 6-5. Despite a comeback from Punjab through Chandermohan’s win over Parvinder in the men’s 74kg bout with a score of 13-6, Haryana quickly regained dominance and continued their winning streak. Neha Sangwan’s outstanding 8-0 triumph against Punjab captain Roksana Zasina in the women’s 57kg bout was a standout moment of the night, earning her the title of Player of the Match.
Haryana’s momentum surged as Iryna Koliadenko secured a commanding 15-2 victory over Ana Godinez in the women’s 62kg category, followed by Ankush’s 5-2 win against Chirag in the men’s 57kg bout. Tumur Tulga’s remarkable performance in the men’s 65kg category, where he defeated Islam Guseinov with a clean sweep of 15-0, further extended Haryana’s lead. While the women’s 76kg contest ended in a draw between Kajal and Priya Malik, Yui Susaki’s walkover win against Hansika Lamba in the women’s 53kg category dashed any hopes of a late Punjab comeback.
Although Punjab secured another win through Dinesh, who triumphed over Anirudh Gulia in the men’s 125kg bout with a score of 7-3, the overall victory belonged to Haryana Thunders. The team’s owner, Ms. Prerana Banka, expressed pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing their hard work, fearlessness, discipline, and hunger for success. She believes that the squad has the potential to achieve great success in the tournament.
With a resounding win over Punjab Royals, Haryana Thunders kicked off their PWL 2026 campaign on a positive note.
