Georgia's Rio Olympic gold medallist Vladimer Khinchegashvili emerged as the costliest buy till the halfway mark of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) auction, joining CDR Punjab Royals for a whopping Rs 48 lakh ($70,790), while Magomed Kurbanaliev of Russia and Mariya Stadnik were bagged for Rs 47 lakh ($69,326) each.
Kurbanaliev, the 70kg reigning world champion, was sold to Haryana Hammers, as Mangalayatan University Dilli Veer splurged Rs 47 lakh ($69,326) to include three-time Olympic medallist Mariya Stadnik (48kg) of Ukraine in their roster.
Another Georgian, 2016 Olympics bronze medallist Jabrayil Hasanov (74 kg) went for Rs 43 lakh ($63,426) to the Mumbai franchise.
Apart from 57kg exponent Khinchegashvili, Punjab bagged another experienced campaigner in 2012 Olympic gold medallist Togrul Asgarov from Azerbaijan for Rs 35 lakh ($51,618).
Three-time world champion Sofia Mattsson from Sweden moved to Haryana for Rs 41.50 lakh ($61,214).
Meanwhile, young Indian Bajrang Punia was signed by Delhi for Rs 38 lakh ($56,043).Indian Amit Dhankar went to Uttar Pradesh Warriors team for Rs 32 lakh ($47,200), while compatriot Rahul Aware was bagged by Mumbai for Rs 31 lakh ($45,715).
Georgian Elizbar Odikadze, who was a key member of Mumbai's title last term, this time went to Jaipur for Rs 25.50 lakh ($37,613). Indian 97 kg champion Satyavart Kadian will play for Delhi after being fetched for Rs 18 lakh ($26,550).
All teams have been given a purse of Rs 2 crore ($2,94,964) to assemble a nine-member squad that includes five men and four women -- comprising five Indians and four foreigners.
--IANS
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