PWL: Sakshi to lead Delhi's challenge against Haryana (Preview)

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik will spearhead the Delhi Sultans' challenge when they take on Haryana Hammers in a Pro Wrestling League (PWL) contest at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday.

Delhi skipper Sakshi will take on Tunisia's Olympic medallist Marwa Amri in the women's 58kg category bout during Wednesday's contest.

Both women created history at the Rio Olympics last year. While Sakshi became the first Indian women wrestler to win an Olympic medal, Marwa created history as she was first women medalist from Tunisia.

Both grapplers are yet unbeaten in the league this year. Sakshi has won both her bouts without conceeding a single point.

She defeated Jaipur Ninja's Pooja Dhanda in her first bout and later outmuscled national champion Manju of Punjab Royals.

On the other hand, Marwa has won the only bout she has fought so far.

In other categories in the women's section, Delhi's star duo of Rio Olympics silver medalist Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan and Alina Makhynia of Ukraine will start as favourites against their respective opponents.

Mariya (women's 48kg) will face Indu Choudhary while Alina will take on Kiran in the 75kg category.

The bout in the women's 53kg category between Sofia Mattsson and Sangeeta Phogat is expected to be an exciting one, while the contest between current world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev of Haryana and Delhi's Georgian star David Tlashadze in the men's 70kg division should also be one to watch out for.

Sakshi's fiance Satyavart Kadian, who registered a massive 14-4 win over Krishan Kumar of Punjab Royals during Delhi's last tie, is expected to face a tough challenge from former world champion Abdusalam Gladisov in the men's 97kg division.

Delhi fans have some good news in store since their Mongolian grappler Erdenebat Bekhbayar in 57kg and Indian grappler Bajrang Punia in 65kg are now completely fit and will be crucial against Haryana.

In the men's 74kg weight category, Delhi's Praveen Rana has a better record than his counterpart Sumit Sehrawat.

--IANS

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