Haryana Thunders underlined their status as the most complete side of Pro Wrestling League 2026 with a nerve-shredding 5–4 victory over Punjab Royals in the first semi-final at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday night.
In a contest that swung violently across nine bouts, the table-toppers absorbed early blows before producing a decisive mid-match surge, booking their place in the final with the calm assurance of a championship-ready unit.
Punjab Royals, who had scraped into the playoffs from fourth place, threw everything at Haryana and were within touching distance of a major upset. But the Thunders’ depth, composure in the Power Minute, and big-match pedigree eventually told, turning a tense evening into another chapter of their remarkable 2026 campaign.
The individual honours reflected the drama and quality on display. Parvinder was named Impact Player of the Match for his clutch comeback in the 74kg men’s bout that halted Punjab’s early momentum. Priya Malik of Punjab Royals earned the Fighter of the Match award for her blistering 76kg women’s performance. But the night truly belonged to Iryna Koliadenko, who took home Player of the Match after delivering the semi-final’s defining moment.
The evening opened with Punjab Royals landing the first punch in the 57kg men’s bout. Chirag Chhikara controlled the tempo against Rohit, using a clean early takedown to establish a lead. Though Rohit clawed back a passivity point, Chirag held firm for a narrow 2–1 win, giving Punjab an early edge.
Haryana responded immediately in the 74kg men’s clash through Parvinder, who found himself trailing after activity points and push-outs had tilted the bout towards Chandermohan. But Parvinder stayed composed, striking back with a crucial takedown and then sealing the bout with a late push-out in the Power Minute. The scores were tied at 8–8, but Parvinder’s last-point advantage swung the bout Haryana’s way, a vital moment that prevented Punjab from running away with the semi-final.
Punjab surge, Haryana stay alive
The heavyweight 125kg men’s bout saw Punjab regain the lead. Dinesh Dhankhar, the Royals’ captain, edged past Anirudh Gulia in an intense 8–6 duel. Push-outs and activity points shaped the early phases before both wrestlers traded takedowns in the Power Minute, Dhankhar’s overall tally just enough to push Punjab ahead 2–1 on bouts.
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Momentum swung sharply further Punjab’s way in the 76kg women’s contest, where Priya Malik delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the season. Facing the previously unbeaten Kajal Dhochak, Malik unleashed relentless offense, forcing a fall inside just 99 seconds to make it 3–1 Punjab. For the first time all evening, Haryana were on the ropes.
Haryana’s fightback began in the 86kg men’s bout. Ashirov Ashraf produced a tactically astute display against Sandeep Maan, using passivity calls and a timely second-period takedown to secure a 5–1 win and pull the Thunders back within one bout.
Then came the moment that changed everything. In the 62kg women’s contest, Iryna Koliadenko, the Paris Olympic silver medallist, faced Punjab’s Ana Godinez. Godinez started brightly, but Koliadenko’s class shone through in the second period. She executed a seamless takedown-to-turn sequence, forcing a fall and levelling the team score at 3–3. The roar inside the Noida Indoor Stadium told the story — the semi-final had swung.
Riding that wave, Haryana surged ahead in the 57kg women’s bout. Neha Sangwan dominated Rajnita Jangra, building her lead through push-outs and activity points before delivering a four-point takedown in the Power Minute to complete a 9–2 victory. For the first time since the opening exchanges, Haryana led the tie 4–3.
Tulga delivers under pressure
The decisive moment arrived in the 65kg men’s bout. With everything on the line, World Championship silver medallist Tumur Ochir Tulga faced Anuj Kumar in a tense, tactical duel. Neither wrestler could find room for big scores, and activity points dictated the flow. In the Power Minute, Tulga held his nerve, edging out Anuj 2–1 to hand Haryana their crucial fifth bout win and confirm a place in the final.
The final bout, the 53kg women’s contest between Yui Susaki and Meenakshi, was decided by forfeit in Punjab’s favour, closing the tie at 5–4 — but by then, the damage was already done.
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This semi-final was a test of character as much as skill, and Haryana Thunders passed it. They were outmuscled early, stunned by Malik’s lightning-fast fall, and pushed to the brink by a spirited Punjab side. Yet, when it mattered most, Haryana’s big names Ashraf, Koliadenko, Sangwan, and Tulga delivered under pressure.
With their place in the final secured, Haryana Thunders now stand one step away from the PWL 2026 crown. If this semi-final was any indication, they have both the depth and the nerve to finish the job.
