Galaxy of stars in PWL auction (Preview)

A total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medallists will go under the hammer at the second Pro Wrestling League (PWL) player auction to be held here on Friday.

Besides, 92 Indian wrestlers including 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik will also test the waters in a closed bid.

"Approximately 200 Indian and foreign players are participating in auction this year including 107 foreign and 92 Indian wrestlers. I am happy that the Indian players will get the opportunity to compete with global players. Vladimer Khinchegashvili of Georgia, Haji Aliyev from Azerbaijan, Ukraine's Oksana Herhel and Erica Wiebe will be the main highlights among the foreigners," Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said in a statement.

"There will be tough competition among Rio silver medallist Maria Mamashuk of Belarus, Olympic bronze medallist Tunisia' Marwa Amri, Yulia Ratkevich of Azerbaijan, Ukraine's Yulia Tkach and 10 Indian players including Sakshi Malik and Geeta Phogat in the 58 kilogram weight category.

"Yulia Ratkevich and Yulia Tkach are current World Championships bronze medallists. On the other hand seven Indian players including Ritu Phogat will compete with three times Olympic medallist Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan, Olympic bronze medallist Bulgaria's Elista Yankova. There are seven Indian players in the same weight category," he added.

"In the women's super heavyweight category, Canada's Erica Wiebe, Rio bronze medallist Sweden's Jenny Frensn, World Championship bronze medallist Vasilisa Marzaliuk of Belarus will be the main highlights.

Among the men, all eyes will be on London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Asian champion Sandeep Tomar, World Championship medallists Bajrang Punia and Amit Dahiya along with Commonwealth Games silver medallist Satyawart Kadian.

--IANS

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