In a contest that swung dramatically from bout to bout, Delhi showed composure under pressure to claim a 5\u20134 victory and set up a mouth-watering title clash against Haryana Thunders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shubham Kaushik was named player of the match for his extraordinary comeback win in the 57kg men\u2019s category that kept Delhi alive at a crucial stage, while Manisha Bhanvala earned fighter of the match honours for her dominant display that anchored Maharashtra\u2019s charge in the same weight category for women.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi struck first in the 62kg women\u2019s contest through Anjli, who produced a composed and clinical performance against Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova. Mixing takedowns, push-outs, and a decisive four-point move in the Power Minute, Anjli secured a convincing 12\u20134 win to hand Delhi the early lead. Maharashtra responded immediately in emphatic fashion as Manisha Bhanvala dominated Karla Godinez Gonzalez in the 57kg women\u2019s tie, overwhelming her opponent with relentless takedown\u2013turn combinations to claim a 15\u20130 technical superiority victory and level the tie.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Momentum swung Maharashtra\u2019s way in the heavyweight clash, where captain Robert Baran continued his unbeaten run. After conceding an early activity point, Baran took complete control in the second period, unleashing takedowns and exposures, especially during the Power Minute, to defeat Ronak 11\u20131 and put Maharashtra ahead. The advantage grew in the 53kg women\u2019s contest as Nishu Bhanvala edged a dramatic contest against Saarika. A strong first period gave Nishu a cushion, and despite Saarika\u2019s spirited comeback in the second, Maharashtra secured a narrow 7\u20136 win to move 3\u20131 ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Facing pressure of loss, Delhi found a lifeline through Shubham Kaushik in the 57kg men\u2019s category. Carrying a sore knee, Kaushik produced one of the moments of the tournament, overturning a significant deficit in the Power Minute with a stunning four-point exposure followed by a four-point takedown to snatch an 11\u201310 victory and keep Delhi in contention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tie was levelled in the 76kg women\u2019s bout as European champion Anastasiya Alpyeeva showcased her experience against Harshita Mor. After conceding early points, Alpyeeva regrouped with sharp takedowns and push-outs, maintaining control in the second period to close out a 7\u20135 win and bring the semi-final to 3\u20133.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi then surged ahead for the first time since the opening contest as Vafaeipour Hadi Bakhtiar edged Amit 11\u20139 in a fiercely contested 86kg encounter, making the decisive difference with back-to-back takedowns in the Power Minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The defining moment came in the 74kg men\u2019s tie between Turan Bayramov and Yash. Bayramov dominated the opening period to race into a 5\u20130 lead, before Yash mounted a strong comeback in the second period to draw level at 5\u20135. With the bout tied, Bayramov was declared the winner on a higher technique criterion, giving Delhi their fifth win and confirming their place in the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi then surged ahead for the first time since the opening contest as Vafaeipour Hadi Bakhtiar edged Amit 11\u20139 in a fiercely contested 86kg encounter, making the decisive difference with back-to-back takedowns in the Power Minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi Dangal Warriors will now face Haryana Thunders in the PWL 2026 final on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n