Pro Wrestling League: Punjab Royals crush Delhi Sultans

New Delhi [India], Jan 19 (ANI): Geno Petriashvili's performance guided the Punjab Royals to an easy 6-1 victory over Delhi Sultans in the Pro Wrestling League at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.

Geno, who came into the tie unbeaten, maintained his glorious run and thrashed India's Hitender Beniwal 10-0 by pinning him down on the mat.

Before him, World Championship bronze medalist Anastasija Grigorjeva of Latvia annihilated India's Monia Dhanoi in the 62-kg event to give the Royals the upper hand.

Leading 2-1, the Latvian won the contest 4-0 by pinfall in the opening period itself to help the Royals take a crucial 3-1 lead mid-way into the tie.

Winning the toss, Punjab blocked Sandeep Tomar, the 2016 Asian Championship gold medalist, while the Sultans elected to keep World championship bronze medalist Koumba Larroque out of action.

Delhi's Alvarav Aslan of Azerbaijan, however, put his side ahead by pulling off an easy 14-1 win over India's Nasir Hussain in the heavyweight category.

The World championship bronze medalist was at the top of his game and demolished the Indian to claim his fourth win of the season.

However, Punjab Royals won their next four bouts, with 2017 Commonwealth champion silver medalist Nirmala Devi beginning the bout by registering a thrilling 6-0 victory over two-time African champion Maroi Meizen of Tunisia (50 kg) to draw level for Punjab in the second contest of the day.

In the 74-kg contest, current national champion Jitender Kinha beat his compatriot Vinod Omprakash 5-0 to send Punjab 2-1 up after three rubbers. (ANI)