Manisha Bhanvala delivered a statement performance to spearhead Maharashtra Kesari’s emphatic 6–3 victory over Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals in Match 6 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026.
Her explosive win by fall in the women’s 57kg category proved to be the defining moment of the contest, as Maharashtra registered their first win of the season and secured the full two match points. Bhanvala was named Player of the Match for her dominant display, while Tiigers’ Mukul Dahiya earned the Fighter of the Match award for his high-impact bout.
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Maharashtra Kesari set the tone early and asserted control across the opening bouts. In the 62kg women’s category, Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova showed composure after conceding an early takedown to Sarika Malik. Zhivkova steadily turned the tide with repeated turn-and-exposure sequences, using superior mat control to close out a convincing 11–2 victory and give Maharashtra an early lead.
The momentum carried into the 74kg men’s contest, where Yash produced a strong second-period surge against Naveen Malik. After a competitive opening phase, Yash increased the tempo, capitalising on sustained attacks and defensive lapses to pull away decisively and seal a 13–5 win, pushing Maharashtra further ahead.
In the heavyweight 125kg category, captain Robert Baran underlined his leadership with a disciplined and tactical performance. Facing Oleksandr Khotsianivskyi in a closely contested bout, Baran stayed patient before striking decisively in the second period with a crucial takedown and exposure. His 5–3 victory strengthened Maharashtra’s grip on the tie and highlighted their growing confidence.
The match’s defining moment arrived in the women’s 57kg category, where Manisha Bhanvala took centre stage. From the opening exchanges, Bhanvala imposed herself physically and tactically, repeatedly forcing push-outs against Alina Filipovych. She then executed a powerful throw followed by a clean exposure, pinning her opponent to secure a fall. The dominant win extended Maharashtra’s lead to 4–0 and effectively tilted the contest decisively in their favour.
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Maharashtra sealed the tie in the 65kg men’s bout through Tevanyan Vazgen, who displayed maturity in a low-scoring encounter against Ali Rahimzade. Vazgen accumulated key activity points through constant pressure before landing a decisive takedown late in the bout, registering a 5–2 win and confirming Maharashtra’s fifth victory of the night.
Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals showed resilience in the latter stages, beginning their comeback attempt in the 86kg men’s category. Mukul Dahiya delivered a spirited performance against Amit in one of the most entertaining bouts of the evening. In a high-scoring contest, Mukul edged ahead during the Power Minute with successive takedowns and a crucial exposure sequence, eventually prevailing 18–11 to pull one back for the Tiigers.
Maharashtra responded immediately in the 76kg women’s contest through Harshita Mor. After conceding an early score to Jyoti Berwal, Mor regrouped and displayed strong positional wrestling in the second period. A clean takedown followed by turn-and-exposure allowed her to overturn the deficit and secure a controlled 4–1 victory, restoring Maharashtra’s dominance.
Tiigers captain and Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat added another win for his side in the 57kg men’s category. Wrestling with aggression and pace, Aman kept Sumit Malik under constant pressure, racking up points with quick attacks and effective counters to claim a 14–5 win.
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The final bout of the night saw Jyoti Sihag provide further respectability to the Tiigers’ scoreline. In the 53kg women’s contest against Paris 2024 silver medallist Guzman Lopez Yusneylis, Sihag used strong mat control in the second period and made the most of the Power Minute to edge a 9–5 victory, securing the Tiigers’ third win of the match.
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Despite the late resistance from the Tiigers, the night firmly belonged to Maharashtra Kesari. Their dominance across the early and middle bouts, highlighted by Manisha Bhanvala’s commanding fall, ensured a comprehensive 6–3 victory and a crucial boost to their campaign.
Action continues in the Pro Wrestling League 2026 on Day 5, January 19, when UP Dominators take on Delhi Dangal Warriors in the evening fixture starting at 8:00 PM.
