The Pro Wrestling League 2026 final proved anything, it was this, championships are won by women who thrive under pressure. In a nerve-shredding finale at the Noida Indoor Stadium, Haryana Thunders were crowned champions, with the title decided entirely by the grit, skill, and composure of their women wrestlers.
With the teams locked at 4-4 after eight bouts, the championship came down to the final women’s 62kg clash and Paris Olympic silver medallist Iryna Koliadenko delivered when it mattered most. Producing a flawless performance, Koliadenko registered a 16-0 technical superiority win, sealing a dramatic 5-4 victory over Delhi Dangal Warriors and igniting celebrations in the Haryana camp.
The tone for the night was set early in the 76kg women’s bout, where Haryana’s Kajal Dhochack, the reigning U20 World Champion, showcased composure beyond her years. She edged past European Champion Anastasiya Alpyeeva 3-1, announcing Haryana’s intent and underlining the rising depth of women’s wrestling in India.
Momentum swung again later in the contest when multiple-time world champion Yui Susaki took centre stage. Calm, clinical, and dominant, Susaki secured a technical superiority victory over Saarika, keeping Haryana firmly in the hunt as the final ebbed and flowed.
When Delhi moved ahead late in the tie, it was once again a woman who refused to let the title slip away. Neha Sangwan rose to the occasion in the 57kg women’s bout, producing a decisive pin against Anjali to level the scores at 4–4 and push the final into a winner-takes-all moment.
With the championship hanging by a thread, all eyes turned to Iryna Koliadenko. The Ukrainian star wrestled with authority and experience, repeatedly breaking down her opponent through relentless turn-and-exposure sequences. Her emphatic victory not only clinched the match but also confirmed that the PWL 2026 title would be decided by women’s wrestling excellence.
Haryana’s women wrestlers were central to the night’s story. Neha Sangwan was named Player of the Match for keeping Haryana alive heading into the final bout, while Koliadenko’s title-sealing performance stood as the defining image of the season.
Haryana Thunders took home ₹1.5 crore in prize money and the PWL 2026 trophy, but beyond the silverware, the final sent a powerful message. From young world champions to Olympic medallists, women wrestlers were not supporting acts, they were the difference-makers.
