PWL: Erica Wiebe win helps Mumbai Maharathi go top

Erica Wiebe proved yet again why she is considered among the best wrestlers in the world today, coming from behind to win her third bout in as many games and lead Mumbai Maharathi to its second victory in the Pro Wrestling League on Monday.

Erica Wiebe and Rahul Aware, both registered wins for Mumbai Maharathis.

Erica Wiebe proved yet again why she is considered among the best wrestlers in the world today, coming from behind to win her third bout in as many games and lead Mumbai Maharathi to its second victory in the Pro Wrestling League on Monday. Mumbai won 4-3 against table-topper Jaipur Ninjas to go level on points.

Canadian Erica, the reigning Olympic champion in the 75kg category, trailed arch-rival Jenny Fransson of Sweden for a large part of the bout before turning the tables 20 seconds from time. Conceding the opening point for passivity to trail at the end of the first three minutes, Erica struggled to get her grip right even as Jenny took her down to extend her lead to 3-0 with just over a minute left in the bout.

Erica fought back, earned two points and then, in one swift move, turned her opponent over and pinned her to the mat to win by fall despite trailing on points. The Mumbai captain is unbeaten in the competition so far but this was the closest she came to a loss.

The win also sealed Mumbai's victory in the tie after Rahul Aware had previously used all his experience to overcome Utkarsh Kale 9-6 in the 57kg. Aware led 3-0 before Kale fought back and two take downs on either side of the break put the youngster ahead 4-3. The lead kept changing hands as both wrestlers kept attacking, trying to get hold of the opponent's ankles and take control, before Aware employed the Fitle move to score four points by rolling Kale over twice and win the bout.

Earlier, Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan managed to win against Jakob Makarashvili in the 74kg to put Mumbai up in the opening bout before Vikas Kumar fought back against the more experienced Rahul Mann to tie 6-6 but won the bout by virtue of taking the final point. Mann kept taking the lead but Vikas did not give up, taking advantage of a limping Mann in the second round to keep chipping away points.

Ritu Phogat managed to win 4-1 against Colombian Carolina Castillo in the 48 kg, Betzabeth Arguello of Venezuela overcame Lalita Sehrawat 5-2 in the 53 kg coming back from being 0-2 down and captain Elizabar Odikadze edged past Ukrainian Pavlo Oliynik 3-2 in the 97kg for Jaipur's victories but they were not enough for the team to avoid its first defeat. Jaipur, Mumbai, Punjab and Haryana are all on four points apiece after Monday's tie but Mumbai has played a match more.