The 2026 PWL player auctions showcased the female wrestlers, who not only attracted the highest bids but also the greatest attention, with Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki being the one who became the priciest of all the players at ₹60 lakh, with Haryana Thunders being the buyers, going beyond the highest male bid of ₹55 lakh held by Poland’s Robert Baran (Maharashtra Kesari) by a substantial amount.
In New Delhi today, the PWL 2026 auctions witnessed intense bidding wars across categories. As for the women wrestlers, they took the leading positions in the price brackets. Susaki’s bidding price, which is a record, is a reflection not only of her being an exceptional Tokyo 2020 gold medallist but also of the league’s dedication to gender-balanced competitions and equal opportunities for all.
Mr Dayaan Farooqui, Chairman, PWL, commented, “This is indeed a watershed moment for women’s wrestling in India.” He continued, “The record bid of Yui Susaki is a strong message that the women’s athletes are of high value and very appealing in professional sports. It shows the development of wrestling as a sport which lauds excellence irrespective of gender and the very fact that it has crossed gender boundaries. PWL 2026 is opening the doors for other franchise-based sports leagues in the country by setting the standard in terms of gender equality in both participation and market value.”
After Susaki’s acquisition, which made headlines, the auction kept on exhibiting a strong demand for the top female wrestlers. The Indian wrestler Antim Panghal, who is a medallist at the World Championship twice, was sold to UP Dominators for ₹52 lakh in the women’s 53 kg category, while Ana Godinez from Puerto Rico attracted ₹46 lakh from Punjab Royals in the women’s 62 kg division. Delhi Dangal Warriors not only expanded their women’s roster but also got hold of Azerbaijan’s Anastasiya Alpayeva for ₹27 lakh in the women’s 76 kg category.
The men’s category was characterised by strong bidding too, as Poland’s Robert Baran received ₹55 lakh from Maharashtra Kesari, and India’s Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat was acquired for ₹51 lakh by Tigers of Mumbai Dangal. The squad of Delhi Dangal Warriors was strengthened by the addition of Turan Bayramov from Azerbaijan, while UP Dominators increased their strength through the signing of Mikhailov Vasyl and Arman Andreasyan.
Having a total budget of ₹12 crore, all six franchises of PWL were given ₹2 crore each to create competitive teams in nine weight categories, i.e., five men’s and four women’s. The groups had to put together a squad of 9 to 12 wrestlers, out of which 4 are overseas (2 men and 2 women), and at least 1 is from Category C, which is for the beginners, thus encouraging the new players.
Several categories, i.e., A+ (Marquee), A, B, and so on, were assigned to wrestlers with base prices fixed at ₹18 lakh, ₹12 lakh, ₹8 lakh, and ₹3 lakh, respectively. The A+ category included 10 female athletes and 13 male athletes. Additionally, the A male category had 12 athletes, and the A female category had 8 athletes.
The success of today’s auction reflects the building of an athlete-first ecosystem that values merit, promotes diversity, and secures sustainable pathways for wrestlers. The officials assert that with world-class talent from different countries and a commitment to professional excellence, PWL 2026 aims to make India a global centre for wrestling.
The Pro Wrestling League 2026 has been set for January 15 to February 1, 2026, which is the return of the league after a 6-year break. PWL is in its 5th season and is ready to provide the very best of Indian and international wrestling talent in the form of a high-octane battle.
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