PWL-2: Hammers prevail over Dangal on Day 3

Haryana Hammers continued their winning run as they prevailed over a power-packed UP Dangal side 5-2 on Day 3 of the Pro Wrestling League Season 2 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in the capital on Wednesday.

Haryana, won the toss and blocked the 74 kg men’s category following which UP captain Elitsa Yankova decided to block the 58 kg women’s category, ruling out the bout between Haryana’s Marwa Amri and UP’s Geeta Phogat.

The first bout went to an impressive Haryana side as Magomed Kurbanaliev —second most expensive men’s wrestler this season — registered an 8-0 scoreline against UP’s Amit Dhankar in the 70 kg men’s category. While Amit relied on a defensive game, his Russian opponent managed to effectively score points by virtue of experience and superior technique.

Up next was a closely fought battle between UP captain and 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Elitsa Yankova and Haryana grappler Indu Chaudhary. Both wrestlers went neck-and-neck to showcase their mettle on the mat. Although the scoreline was tied at 1-1 after two rounds, UP’s Elitsa won the 48 kg women’s bout by virtue of last point win.

Hammers’ Rajneesh stunned Dangal’s Andrey Kviatkovski in the third bout by registering a comprehensive 5-1 win. Rajneesh used attacking single leg holds to good effect, while keeping his defence strong and giving no opportunity to the Ukrainian to make a comeback in the 65 kg men’s category.

UP drew level in the fourth bout, as Belarus-born Maria Mamashuk overpowered Haryana’s Kiran to win the 75 kg women’s contest 6-4. Although Kiran surprised Maria with her agility and aggression in the first round, the latter staged a remarkable comeback in the next round, scoring points in quick succession. The 2016 Olympics Silver medallist eventually prevailed in the duel, as Kiran went down fighting valiantly.

The 97 kg men’s category was fought between UP’s Mausam Khatri and Haryana captain Abdusalam Gadisov, with the latter winning the fifth bout 8-0 comfortably.

UP, who had rested their hopes on Babita Kumari, were in for a disappointment as Haryana’s Sofia Mattsson won the sixth bout in just 46 seconds, by virtue of a win by fall.

The Swedish grappler gave Babita no chance to put up a fight in the 53 kg women’s category as Haryana gained an unassailable 4-2 lead.

Haryana gave finishing touches by finishing the final bout with yet another 8-0 win. Sandeep Tomar was too powerful for Amit Kumar Dahiya of UP Dangal as Haryana went on to win the tie 5-2.