The women’s bouts played a decisive role in Delhi Dangal Warriors’ dramatic 5-4 victory over Punjab Royals, as the Pro Wrestling League 2026 league stage concluded at the Noida Indoor Stadium. In a contest packed with momentum swings, it was the intensity, resilience and match-winning moments from the women wrestlers that kept the tie alive until the final bout and shaped the semi-final picture.
Punjab Royals, already assured of qualification, made an assertive start through their women’s contingent. In the opening 76 kg contest, Priya Malik delivered a composed and tactically sharp performance to edge out Anastasiya Alpyeeva 2-0, giving Punjab an early advantage and setting the tone for a closely fought encounter.
Delhi found themselves under pressure again in the 57kg category, where Punjab’s Rajnita Jangra controlled the pace and exchanges against Karla Godinez Gonzalez to claim a convincing 5-1 win. Her disciplined approach and mat control ensured Punjab stayed firmly in contention as the team scores remained tight.
One of the standout performances of the evening came in the 62kg women’s bout, where Ana Godinez produced a bout of the highest quality. Awarded Fighter of the Match, Godinez stunned the crowd with a massive five-point throw in the opening period against Anjli. Despite a spirited comeback attempt from her opponent in the second period, Godinez held her composure to secure an 11-7 victory, bringing Punjab level in the team standings and keeping the contest delicately poised.
Punjab later seized momentum in the 53kg women’s contest as Meenakshi dominated Saarika with relentless offense. Building a commanding lead, Meenakshi forced an injury stoppage, pushing Punjab ahead 4-3 and placing Delhi’s semi-final hopes under serious threat.
Across the mat, the women’s matches showcased technical depth, physical endurance and tactical maturity, underlining their growing influence in the league’s decisive moments. While Delhi ultimately sealed qualification through late heroics in the men’s section, the path to the semi-finals was paved by fiercely contested women’s bouts that ensured the tie remained alive until the very end.
Both Delhi Dangal Warriors and Punjab Royals progressed to the semi-finals with six points each, but it was the women wrestlers who ensured the final league clash lived up to its billing as a thrilling, high-stakes showdown.
