A 5–4 win over Punjab Royals in a tense nine-bout semi-final sends Haryana Thunders through to the PWL 2026 title clash.
Haryana Thunders’ strong run in the Pro Wrestling League 2026 carried on as they got past Punjab Royals 5–4 in a closely fought first semi-final at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday, booking a place in the title clash.
Having topped the league-stage standings with four wins and eight points, Haryana had to dig in early before gradually wresting control of the contest, reaffirming their status as the season’s steadiest outfit. Punjab Royals, who had only just made the last four after finishing fourth in the table, made things difficult all the way to the closing bout, but Haryana’s calm finishing in the decisive moments was enough to settle a tightly contested nine-bout tie.
Parvinder picked up the Impact Player of the Match award for a comeback win that halted Punjab’s early charge, while Priya Malik was named Fighter of the Match for her standout fall victory in the women’s 76kg bout. Player of the Match honours went to Iryna Koliadenko, whose telling win in the 62kg category turned the contest decisively in Haryana’s favour.
It was Punjab Royals who struck first, with Chirag Chhikara dictating the early exchanges against Rohit in the 57kg men’s bout, landing a key takedown in the first period and holding on for a tight 2–1 win.
Haryana answered straightaway through Parvinder in the 74kg men’s category. Behind on activity points and push-outs for much of the bout, he turned things around in the second period, finishing with a crucial takedown and a late push-out in the Power Minute to edge Chandermohan on last-point criteria after the scores finished level at 8–8.
Punjab moved back in front in the 125kg heavyweight bout, where captain Dinesh Dhankhar got the better of Anirudh Gulia 8–6 in a tactical contest that came down to the wire in the Power Minute, with Dhankhar holding his nerve to stay ahead.
Punjab extended their advantage in the 76kg women’s bout, where Priya Malik handed Kajal Dhochhak her first loss of the season, finishing the contest by fall in under 100 seconds to put her side 3–1 up.
Kajal Dhochhak (Haryana Thunders) vs Priya Malik (Punjab Royals) at PWL 2026.
Haryana hit back through Ashirov Ashraf in the 86kg men’s bout, mixing tactical discipline with well-timed scoring to see off Sandeep Maan 5–1 and keep his side in contention.
The bout that changed the course of the match followed in the 62kg women’s category, where Paris Olympic silver medallist Iryna Koliadenko showed her class. After soaking up early pressure from Ana Godinez, she converted a takedown into a turn to force a fall, levelling the tie at 3–3 and swinging momentum firmly behind Haryana.
Iryna Koliadenko (Haryana Thunders) vs Ana Godinez (Punjab Royals) at PWL 2026.
Haryana took charge through Neha Sangwan in the 57kg women’s bout, dominating Rajnita Jangra 9–2 by building an early lead through push-outs and activity points before closing things out with a decisive four-point takedown in the Power Minute to make it 4–3.
The tie was effectively settled in the 65kg men’s bout, where World Championships silver medallist Tumur Ochir Tulga got past Anuj Kumar 2–1 in a tight, low-scoring contest. With activity points proving decisive, Tulga held his composure through the Power Minute to secure Haryana’s fifth bout win and confirm their place in the final.
Tumur Ochir Tulga (Haryana Thunders) takes on Anuj Kumar (Punjab Royals) in the 65kg bout at PWL 2026.
Punjab claimed the ninth and final bout of the night by forfeit, in the women’s 53kg contest between Yui Susaki and Meenakshi, bringing the tie to a close at 5–4.
Final Team Score: Haryana Thunders 5 – Punjab Royals 4
With the win, Haryana Thunders advanced to the final of PWL 2026. The second semi-final saw Delhi Dangal Warriors take on UP Dominators.
Bout 1: 57kg (Men): Chirag Chhikara (Punjab Royals) bt Rohit (Haryana Thunders), 2–1
Bout 2: 74kg (Men): Parvinder (Haryana Thunders) bt Chandermohan (Punjab Royals), 8–8 (last point scored)
Bout 3: 125kg (Men): Dinesh Dhankhar (Punjab Royals) bt Anirudh Gulia (Haryana Thunders), 8–6
Bout 4: 76kg (Women): Priya Malik (Punjab Royals) bt Kajal Dhochhak (Haryana Thunders), by fall (14–0)
Bout 5: 86kg (Men): Ashirov Ashraf (Haryana Thunders) bt Sandeep Mann (Punjab Royals), 5–1
Bout 6: 62kg (Women): Iryna Koliadenko (Haryana Thunders) bt Ana Godinez (Punjab Royals), by fall (5–5)
Bout 7: 57kg (Women): Neha Sangwan (Haryana Thunders) bt Rajnita Jangra (Punjab Royals), 9–2
Bout 8: 65kg (Men): Tumur Ochir Tulga (Haryana Thunders) bt Anuj Kumar (Punjab Royals), 2–1
Bout 9: 53kg (Women): Meenakshi (Punjab Royals) won by forfeit.
BUY TICKET 
