NEW DELHI: NCR Punjab Royals dictated terms on Day 4 of the second edition of the Pro-Wrestling league (PWl) as they beat Mumbai Maharathi 4-3 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.
Mumbai had an early advantage as they won the toss and decided to block the 53 kg women’s category, thus preventing the dangerous Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye from contesting the tie. Punjab blocked the 74 kg men’s category, as Mumbai’s Jabrayil Hasanov had to sit out as well.
Star cricketer Harbhajan Singh, co-owner of Mumbai Maharathi, turned up to support his team and added to the excitement in the evening.
The opening bout of the tie was won by NCR Punjab Royals as their captain Vladimir Khinchegashvili used all his experience to overcome a stiff challenge from Mumbai Maharathi’s Rahul Aware.
The Maharashtra grappler, who was carrying the burden of expectations after his brilliant victory over Haryana’s Sandeep Tomar in the opening PWl game, employed several tactics to score points, but Vladimir, the Rio Olympics gold medallist was the better opponent on the day, winning the bout 7-3.
Mumbai captain and Rio Olympics gold medallist Erica Wiebe drew level with Punjab in the next bout, staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Vasilisa Marzaliuk 4-2.
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