Pro Wrestling League — Godinez guides Punjab Royals to 5-4 win over Maharashtra Kesari
Ana Godinez’s crucial win in the 62kg women’s contest guided Punjab Royals to a crucial 5–4 victory over Maharashtra Kesari in Match 12 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026, here at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
Kesari ended its league campaign with three wins from four matches, finishing with six points and 23 bout wins, while the Royals climbed to third place with six points from four matches and 18 bout wins.
The Royals set the tone in the opening 53kg women’s contest through Meenakshi, who beat Paris Olympic silver medallist Guzman Lopez Yusneylis 6-0 before Asian Wrestling Champion Chandermohan overwhelmed Yash 18-0 through technical superiority in the 74kg men’s contest.
Kesari responded through captain Robert Baran, who relied on experience and mat awareness to defeat Royals’ skipper Dinesh Dhankhar 10–1.
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However, the Royals quickly restored momentum, with former U-20 and U-23 world champion Priya Malik winning the 76kg women’s tie, and Sandeep Maan getting the better of Amit in the 86kg men’s bout.
With the contest tilted 4-1 in the Royals’ favour, Kesari launched its comeback. Atish Thodkar beat Chirag Chhikara 13–10 in the 57kg men’s category, while Manisha Bhanvala won 2-1 against Rajnita Jangra, reducing the deficit to just one.
It was then that Godinez stepped up for the Royals, beating Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova in the 62kg women’s tie, sealing Punjab’s fifth win and the full match points.
Tevanyan Vazgen secured a consolation victory for Kesari in the last bout, beating Anuj Kumar 12-0 in the 65kg men’s category.
Published on Jan 27, 2026