New Delhi, 16 April (H.S.):

India's Professional Wrestling League (PWL) Season 5 impact reverberates internationally, with its wrestlers securing 11 of the nation's 17 medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

January's Noida event featured global stars alongside emerging Indian talent, solidifying PWL as a premier competitive platform. Its rigorous domestic competition has evidently sharpened athletes for world stage success.

Sujeet Kalkal (men's 65kg), world No. 2 behind Iran's Rahman Amouzad, represented Delhi Dangal Warriors, winning six of seven bouts for runner-up. Post-league, he claimed golds at Zagreb, Mohammad Malo ranking series, and Bishkek Asians.

Meenakshi Goyat (women's 53kg) went 3-0 for Punjab Royals, beat Panghal in nationals, then earned silvers at Malo and Bishkek. Olympic silverist Aman Sehrawat (61kg, Tigers of Mumbai Dangals) took silvers; Dinesh Dhankad (125kg, Punjab Royals) bronzes.

Haryana Thunders' Neha Sangwan secured silver at Malo, bronze at Bishkek; rising star Abhimanyu (70kg, UP Dominators) stunned Mongolia's ex-Asian Games champ Tomor-Ochirin Tulga for Bishkek gold.

International PWL stars shone too: Canada's Carla Godinez Gonzalez (Delhi) silvered Zagreb; Japan's Yui Susaki (Haryana, champions) defended Asian title.

PWL's pipeline signals bright prospects for 2026 Asian Games and Worlds, fortifying India's wrestling ecosystem through elite domestic rivalry.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar