New Delhi: Twenty Olympic and World Championships medallists, including India’s Sushil Kumar, will take part in the Pro Wrestling League next month, the organisers said on Sunday. Along with two current Olympic champions in Helen Maroulis and Roslan Ramonov, 10 medal winners from Rio Olympics will be seen in action when the PWL-3 begins on January 9. Three current world champions in Haji Aliyev, Helen Maroulis and Petroshivli Geno, and four continental champions have been included in the six teams.
For the first time in Pro Wrestling League, players from China, France, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia and Egypt were part of the auction held on Saturday. Delhi Sultans stole everybody’s attention at the auction when it made the highest bid of Rs 55 lakh for star Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar. Two-time Olympic medal winner Sushil created history as he became the costliest player in the Pro Wrestling League season 3 auction.
The second costliest India player was Vinesh Phogat, who was sold for Rs 40 lakh to UP Dangal followed by Sakshi Malik, Geeta Phogat, Bajrang Punia at Rs 39 lakh, '28 lakh, '25 lakh respectively. Among foreign players, Georgia’s Petrosivili Geno was bagged by Punjab Royals for Rs 50 lakh. Haryana Hammers bought former world champion Hassan Rahimi for Rs 46 lakh and Olympic and world champion Helen Maroulis for Rs 44 lakh. Mumbai Maharathi bought Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov of Russia for Rs 38 lakh.
