Japan’s Susaki is most expensive buy at PWL auction

In the player auction for the 2026 edition of the Pro Wrestling League here on Saturday, Japan’s Yui Susaki emerged as the most expensive buy as she attracted a bid of ₹60 lakh from Haryana Thunders. In the men’s section, Poland’s Robert Baran was roped in by Maharashtra Kesari for ₹55 lakh.

Wrestlers in the auction pool were classified into four categories: A+, A, B and C.

Among women in category A+, which mandated a base price of ₹18 lakh, Susaki was the most sought-after wrestler. Antim Panghal was snapped up by UP Dominators for ₹52 lakh in the women’s 53 kg category, while Puerto Rico’s Ana Godinez fetched ₹46 lakh from Punjab Royals in the 62 kg division. Delhi Dangal Warriors secured the services of Azerbaijan’s Anastasiya Alpayeva for ₹27 lakh in the women’s 76 kg category.

Among the men, Sujeet Kalkal, who was in category A, was picked by Delhi Dangal Warriors for ₹52 lakh. Aman Sehrawat, who won bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics, was acquired by Tigers of Mumbai Dangal for ₹51 lakh.

The fifth season of the league will be held from January 15 to February 1 at the Noida Indoor Stadium. The event, which features six teams, is resuming after a six-year hiatus.