Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat has emerged as the headline domestic name ahead of the upcoming Pro Wrestling League, PWL auction, entering the pool with a base price of Rs. 18 lakh the highest among Indian wrestlers this season.
The auction is scheduled for January 3, with the league set to run from January 15 to February 1, marking the return of one of India’s most high-profile franchise-based wrestling competitions.
Six teams will battle it out in the new season: Haryana Thunders, Tigers of Mumbai Dangals, Punjab Royals, Maharashtra Kesari, Delhi Dangal Warriors, and UP Dominators. With a compact window and a talent-heavy auction pool, franchises are expected to bid aggressively, particularly for proven international performers who can deliver immediate impact.
At just 21, Sehrawat has already established himself as one of India’s brightest wrestling stars. His Paris Olympic bronze medal added to an impressive résumé that includes podium finishes at the Asian Games and other elite international events. Although he recently faced a setback when he was barred from competing at the World Championships due to weight management issues, the Wrestling Federation of India has since lifted the ban. That clearance has allowed him to enter the PWL auction at full value, and his presence is expected to trigger intense bidding.
Sehrawat is not alone at the top slab. Among women wrestlers, Japan’s Yui Susaki and Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez have also placed themselves in the Rs. 18 lakh bracket. Susaki, a Tokyo Olympics gold medallist and Paris 2024 bronze winner, remains one of the most dominant technicians in women’s wrestling. Guzman Lopez, the Paris Olympics silver medallist, brings power and consistency, making her one of the most coveted overseas picks in the auction.
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In the next tier, several established Indian names have opted for a base price of Rs. 10 lakh. World and Commonwealth Games medallist Deepak Punia is expected to draw strong interest despite recent injury concerns, given his pedigree and experience in pressure situations. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Naveen is listed in the same bracket, reinforcing the depth of India’s men’s freestyle talent.
A notable surprise in the domestic list is Sujeet Kalkal, widely regarded as one of India’s most in-form wrestlers in recent seasons, who has set his base price at just Rs. 7 lakh. That decision could make him one of the auction’s biggest value buys, particularly for franchises looking to balance star power with squad depth.
The foreign men’s category is stacked with elite European and Eurasian wrestlers. Russia’s Abasgadzhi Magomedov, a former world and European champion, headlines this group with a base price of Rs. 10 lakh. He is joined by Armenia’s Arman Andreasyan, a world championship medallist, and Hungary’s Iszmail Muszukajev, the 2023 world champion who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.
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Armenia’s Arsen Harutyunyan, a multiple-time world and European medallist, and Russia’s Usmanov Akhmed, a reigning world and European champion, further strengthen the overseas contingent. Both have been placed in the Rs. 10 lakh category and are expected to be prime targets for franchises seeking reliability and international experience.
Women’s wrestling at the auction is equally competitive. Antim Panghal, India’s first-ever U-20 world champion and a senior world championship medallist, carries the highest base price among Indian women at Rs. 10 lakh. Despite a challenging Olympic cycle, her consistency at the global level keeps her among the most sought-after domestic names.
Anshu Malik, who is working her way back to form after injuries, has also opted for the Rs. 10 lakh slab, alongside National Games champion Swati Shinde and former world championship silver medallist Pooja Gahlot. Their presence adds depth and variety to the Indian women’s pool.
Internationally, the women’s list is headlined by Olympic and world champions. Alongside Susaki and Guzman Lopez, experienced campaigners like Ukraine’s Oksana Livach and Nigeria’s rising star Christinah Tolulope Ogunsanya are listed at Rs. 10 lakh. Azerbaijan’s Elnura Mammadova, a European and U-23 world medallist, also features prominently. In the heavier weight categories, Bulgaria’s former world champion Bilyana Dudova, Ukraine’s Olympic silver medallist Iryna Koliadenko, and Nigeria’s multiple-time African champion Odunayo Folasade round out a formidable women’s lineup.
With a blend of Olympic medallists, world champions, and emerging Indian stars, the PWL auction promises high drama and strategic battles as franchises look to build balanced squads capable of sustaining performance across the season.
Wrestlers and Base Prices
18 Lakh
- Aman Sehrawat
- Yui Susaki
- Yusneylis Guzman Lopez
10 Lakh
- Deepak Punia
- Naveen
- Abasgadzhi Magomedov
- Arman Andreasyan
- Iszmail Muszukajev
- Arsen Harutyunyan
- Usmanov Akhmed
- Antim Panghal
- Anshu Malik
- Oksana Livach
- Christinah Tolulope Ogunsanya
- Elnura Mammadova
- Bilyana Dudova
- Iryna Koliadenko
- Odunayo Folasade
7 Lakh
- Sujeet Kalkal
