Pro Wrestling League 2026: Anirudh Gulia powers Haryana Thunders to top of standings
Anirudh Gulia delivered a commanding heavyweight performance to give Haryana Thunders its fifth bout win of the night and seal a 6–3 victory over UP Dominators, confirming the Thunders’ first-place finish in the league stage of the Pro Wrestling League.
The Thunders closed the league phase with eight points from five matches and an impressive 29 bout wins.
The tie had been finely poised at 3–3 before Player of the Match Iryna Koliadenko produced a dramatic comeback win by fall in the seventh bout to swing momentum decisively in the Thunders’ favour.
The Dominators, who finished with two wins, four points, and 23 bout wins, now sit fourth and will have to wait on the outcome of the Punjab Royals-Delhi Dangal Warriors match to determine their semifinal fate. The Dominators’ Tapsya Gahlawat was named Fighter of the Match for her standout performance.
The Thunders made a strong start through narrow, high-pressure victories in the opening two bouts. In the 76kg women’s contest, Kajal Dhochack edged past Mansi Lather in a tightly fought bout that finished 3–3. The momentum continued in the 57kg men’s bout, where Ankush Chandram and Rahul Deswal were locked at 4–4 before Ankush’s scoring sequence proved decisive on last-point criteria, doubling the Thunders’ advantage.
The Dominators responded emphatically in the 57kg women’s bout through Tapsya. After an even opening exchange, Tapsya took complete control in the Power Minute, scoring two decisive takedowns in Phase 6 to pull away for a commanding 10–3 victory and reduce the deficit.
The tie was then levelled in the 65kg men’s category as Vishal Kali Raman produced a spirited comeback against Tumur Ochir Tulga, capitalising on passivity calls, a successful challenge, and a decisive Power Minute takedown followed by a push-out to secure a 9–6 win.
Thunders regained the lead in the marquee 53kg women’s bout through captain Yui Susaki. The former Olympic champion capitalised on multiple turn-and-exposure sequences to race to an 8–0 lead, before Antim Panghal became the first wrestler to score points against Susaki in PWL 2026 with a late surge in the opening period. The second period unfolded as a tactical duel, but Susaki’s experience ensured she closed out an 8–3 victory, putting the Thunders 3-2 ahead.
The Dominators drew level once again in the 86kg men’s bout as Mykhailov Vasyl produced a patient and well-timed performance against Ashirov Ashraf. After Ashirov led early through passivity and a takedown, Vasyl forced a passivity call before executing a decisive four-point takedown in the Power Minute to claim a 5–3 win and make it 3–3.
Iryna Koliadenko, the eventual Player of the Match, after beating Nisha Dahiya.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Iryna Koliadenko, the eventual Player of the Match, after beating Nisha Dahiya.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The turning point of the match arrived in the 62kg women’s bout. Nisha Dahiya struck first with an early takedown, but Iryna responded emphatically in the second period with a powerful takedown and seamless turn sequence, forcing a fall to hand the Thunders a crucial 4–3 lead and swing momentum decisively in their favour.
Anirudh then ensured there was no way back for the Dominators in the heavyweight clash. After Jaspooran Singh picked up early points through push-outs and a caution, Anirudh dominated the second period with a takedown-and-turn combination and successive Power Minute takedowns to seal an authoritative 11–5 victory.
The Thunders rounded off the night with another composed performance in the 74kg men’s bout as Parvinder defeated Abhimanyu Mandwal 8–5.
Published on Jan 29, 2026