Haryana hammer Marathas
Runners- up in the first two editions of the Pro Wrestling League, Haryana Hammers began their campaign on a positive note, defeating new entrants Veer Marathas 5- 2 at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium in the capital on Wednesday.
Rio Olympics gold medallist Helen Maroulis and Harphool did the star turn in the fifth and sixth bouts for an invincible 4- 2 lead and put the Hammers beyond the Marathas’ reach.
Khetik Tsabolov then rounded off the tie 5- 2, overcoming Parveen Rana 10- 0 in the day’s last bout.
In the high- profile clash of the day, Helen took on Rio Olympics bronze medallist Marwa Amri of Tunisia in the women’s 57 kg class. It turned out to be a lopsided affair, with the US wrestler dominating her opponent to win the bout 9- 1 by pinfall.
The day’s fifth bout day between Amit Dhankar and Harphool in the 65 kg turned out to be the most exciting of the night, with the bout ending 5- 5. However, Harphool was adjudged the winner by virtue of clinching the bout’s last point.
Haryana were on top right from the onset and blocked the dangerous Levan Berianidze of Armenia in the 125 kg after they won the toss.
Marathas in turn took Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sun Yanan of China out of the equation.
Sarita restored parity for Hammers mid- way into the tie with a hard- fought 4- 3 win over Manju in the 62 kg competition.
The Marathas asserted themselves further with Georgi Ketoev of Armenia annihilating Roublejit Singh Rangi 16- 0 by technical superiority in the 92 kg to go 2- 1 up in the tie.
Vasilisia Marzaulik of Belarus, 2017 world championship silver medallist and icon player of the Marathas brought her team back into the game after she pinned Pooja to win 8- 0 in the 76kg in the opening period of the bout itself.
Earlier in the day’s opener, 2017 world championship bronze medallist Vladimir Khinchegashvili beat Shravan 7- 3.