PWL: Defending champion Punjab Royals faces MP Yodha

The clash between World No. 1 Bajrang Punia and three-time world champion Haji Aliyev is on cards in Ludhiana today.

Bajrang Punia of Punjab Royals in action during the Pro Wrestling League.

All eyes will be on the clash between World No. 1 Bajrang Punia and three-time world champion Haji Aliyev when the defending champion Punjab Royals take on MP Yodha in the last tie of the second leg at the Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium in Ludhiana on Wednesday.

The other big match of the day will be between world championship sliver medallist Pooja Dhanda and European championships silver medallist Mimi Hristova of Bulgaria. Mimi had to struggle against Betzabeth Angelica in the only bout she featured this season. Pooja on the other hand, after defeating Betzabeth and Katherina Zhydachivska, had to face defeat against the world junior champion Anastasia Nichita.

The other big bout will be between MP Yodha’s Sandeep Tomar and Punjab Royals’ Nitin Rathee in the 57kg category. Last year, Nitin gave Sandeep a scare, and in the first season, the Punjab wrestler caused a major upset beating the MP stalwart. After losing two consecutive bouts this season, Ritu Phogat gets an opportunity to make amends against junior wrestler Anju in the 53kg category.

In the men's 74kg catgeory, East Asian champion Punjab’s Amit Dhankhar is up against the 2017 European championshipships bronze medallist Vasil Mikhaillov. Amit’s loss to promising upcoming wrestler Sachin Rathi should act as an eye opener to him.

Punjab team co-owner Dharampal Rathee said that the team has to put its campaign on track with a win in the last tie against Delhi Sultans and will not stop at any cost till it lays its hands on the title again.

Coach of MP Yodha Jagminder on the otherhand is looking to continue the winning momentum. The match will be streamed live on Sony Ten from 7pm.

SQUADS

MP Yodha: Ritu Phogat (53 Kg), Sandeep Tomar (57 Kg), Pooja Dhanda (57 Kg), Elise Manolova (62 Kg), Haji Aliyev (65 Kg), Vasil Mikhaillov (74 Kg), Andrea Carolina (76 Kg), Deepak (86 Kg), Akash Antil (125 Kg)

Punjab Royals: Anju (53 Kg), Mimi Hristova (57 Kg), Nitin Rathee (57 Kg), Bajrang Puniya (65 Kg), Anita (62 Kg), Amit Dhankhar (74 Kg), Alina Stadnik Makhynia (76 Kg), Dato Marsagishvili (86 Kg), Korey Jarvis (125 Kg).