Noida, January 30: Pro Wrestling League (PWL) Chairman Dayan Faruqui unveiled the profound symbolism behind the 2026 trophy, emphasizing its deep connection to India’s wrestling heritage. Designed meticulously to embody the spirit of the league and the wrestlers’ relentless struggles, the trophy incorporates soil gathered from akharas across every participating state.
Faruqui shared exclusively with IANS that his team traversed the nation, collecting sacred dirt from the training grounds of all six teams’ states. ‘We wanted the trophy to be rooted in India’s soil,’ he said. ‘Every grain represents the sweat and grit of our pehlwans.’ Adding to its cultural resonance, the trophy features an intricate depiction of Lord Hanuman’s mace on the side, symbolizing strength and devotion.
The league kicked off on January 15 after a six-year hiatus, building excitement toward the grand finale on February 1. This comeback underscores PWL’s commitment to revitalizing kushti on a professional stage.
The player auction had set pulses racing earlier, with Haryana Thunder securing Japan’s Olympic gold medalist Yui Susaki for a record 60 lakh rupees in the women’s category. UP Dominators snapped up World Championship medalist Antim Panghal for 52 lakh in the 53kg class, while Punjab Royals invested 46 lakh in Puerto Rico’s Ana Godinez for 62kg. Delhi Dungal Warriors bolstered their lineup with Azerbaijan’s Anastasia Alpaeva at 27 lakh for 76kg.
In the men’s auction, Tigers of Mumbai Dungal acquired Poland’s Robert Baran for 55 lakh and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat for 51 lakh, highlighting the fierce demand for proven talents across weight classes.
Faruqui’s passion for wrestling’s emotional bond with India shone through. ‘When I think of kushti, it’s not just a sport—it’s the soil that stirs my soul, brings tears to my eyes, and quickens my heartbeat. This is our game, India’s game. Any medal won here will be a victory for the nation.’
He hailed the ‘Power Minute’ innovation as a game-changer, training wrestlers to fight till the last second—a fix for past Olympic heartbreaks where fitness faltered in crucial moments. Through PWL and the Wrestling Federation, professional kushti is gaining unprecedented recognition, promising a brighter future for the sport.