Asian Games gold medal-winning grapplers felicitated at Pro Wrestling League Season 6 launch

The launch event was headlined by the grand felicitation of India’s wrestling contingent following their fruitful campaign at the Asian Games 2026.

Updated : Oct 09, 2026 23:53 IST , NEW DELHI - 4 MINS READ

Star grapplers Sujeet Kalkal, who clinched a historic gold in the Men’s Freestyle 65kg category, and Aman Sehrawat, fresh from adding an Asian Games gold to his Paris 2024 Olympic bronze, were honoured alongside fellow medallists like Antim Panghal. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) marked its much-anticipated return to India’s sporting calendar with the official announcement of Season 6 in New Delhi on Friday. Scheduled to take place from January 9-26, 2027 under the aegis of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the flagship league will stage its high-octane bouts at the iconic KD Jadhav Wrestling Arena at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.

The launch event was headlined by the grand felicitation of India’s wrestling contingent following their fruitful campaign at the Asian Games 2026. Star grapplers Sujeet Kalkal, who clinched a historic gold in the Men’s Freestyle 65kg category, and Aman Sehrawat, fresh from adding an Asian Games gold to his Paris 2024 Olympic bronze, were honoured alongside fellow medallists Antim Panghal, Nitesh Siwach, Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar. The six-member medal-winning contingent was felicitated, celebrating one of India’s strongest wrestling campaigns at the Asian Games in decades.

Hosting Season 6 in Delhi is a key part of the League’s plan to be staged in a different franchise city every season, taking PWL to varied fan bases across the country. Coming to the capital, home to a deep-rooted wrestling culture and one of India’s most passionate sporting audiences, gives the League a landmark stage for its return and brings the action to fans at the heart of the nation.

Season 6 will feature 86 world-class men and women grapplers, including 34 Olympians and Commonwealth, Asian Games, and World Championship medallists. The roster features global luminaries such as Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki, alongside India’s finest marquee names.

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The competition will be staged across nine Olympic weight divisions:

● Men: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, and 125kg

● Women: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, and 76kg

Dayaan Farooqui, Chairman, Pro Wrestling League, said, “Wrestling is deeply embedded in India’s sporting culture and our wrestlers have consistently carried the nation’s pride onto the global stage. Season 6 of the Pro Wrestling League is a celebration of that rich legacy, while also taking the sport towards new global benchmarks. Our vision has always been to take the League to a different franchise city each season, bringing world-class wrestling closer to fans across the country. We are delighted to welcome some of the world’s finest wrestlers to Delhi and look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans while further strengthening the sport’s presence in India.”

Aman Sehrawat, Olympic Medallist and Asian Games 2026 Gold Medallist, said, “Winning medals at the Olympics and the Asian Games has been the reward for years of sacrifice, discipline and hard work. To be felicitated for these achievements and to receive this honour in Delhi, in front of the wrestling community and fans, feels truly special. Moments like these remind you of the journey you have undertaken and the people who have supported you along the way. As a wrestler, it is also exciting to see the Pro Wrestling League return to the capital, and I look forward to seeing the sport reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of wrestlers.”

Sujeet Kalkal, Asian Games 2026 Gold Medallist, said, “The Pro Wrestling League has played an important role in my journey as a wrestler and has given me opportunities that have helped me grow both on and off the mat. Competing alongside and against some of the best wrestlers in the world gave me the confidence, exposure and belief to take on bigger challenges. To now be felicitated as an Asian Games gold medallist is a very special feeling, and it makes me realise how far the journey has come. PWL has been an important part of that journey, and I am excited to see it return to Delhi and continue giving young Indian wrestlers the platform to dream bigger.”

Haryana Thunders is the defending chanmpion, having beaten Delhi Dangal Warriors 5-4 in a thrilling final last season.