Women wrestlers dominate PWL auctions as Japan’s Yui Susaki attracts record bid of ₹60 lakh from Haryana Thunders

Antim Pangal snapped up by UP Dominators for ₹52 lakhs in the women’s 53kg category

Antim Panghal. 

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: Women wrestlers emerged as the standout performers at the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026 player auctions, headlined by Japan’s Yui Susaki, who attracted a record bid of ₹60 lakhs from the Haryana Thunders. Alongside Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Susaki, World Championship Medallist Antim Panghal was snapped up by UP Dominators for ₹52 lakh in the women’s 53 kg category, while Puerto Rico’s Ana Godinez fetched ₹46 lakhs with Punjab Royals in the women’s 62 kg division. Delhi Dangal Warriors added further depth by securing Azerbaijan’s Anastasiya Alpayeva for ₹27 lakh in the women’s 76 kg category.

Yui Susaki. 

All Category A+ wrestlers entered the auction with a base price of ₹18 lakh, but several names saw significant escalations. Among the men, marquee signings included Robert Baran of Poland (₹55 lakh) for Maharashtra Kesari and Paris Bronze Medallist Aman Sehrawat (₹51 lakh) for Tigers of Mumbai Dangal, reflecting sustained demand for proven performers across weight classes. Delhi Dangal Warriors also strengthened their roster with Turan Bayramov from Azerbaijan, while UP Dominators added consistency through Mikhailov Vasyl and Arman Andreasyan.

The auction process remains ongoing. Wrestlers have been classified into four categories A+ (Marquee), A, B, and C — with base prices set at ₹18 lakh, ₹12 lakh, ₹8 lakh, and ₹3 lakh respectively. The league is operating with a total purse of ₹12 crore, with each of the six franchises allocated ₹2 crore to build squads competing across nine weight categories — five men’s and four women’s.

Each team must assemble a squad of nine to twelve wrestlers, including four overseas athletes (two men and two women), while mandatorily featuring at least one Category C wrestler. With further bidding rounds still to come, franchises are expected to continue fine-tuning their rosters as the PWL 2026 auction progresses.