Kiraak Hyderabad Crowned Champions of Pro Panja League Season 2
Kiraak Hyderabad Triumphs in Grand Finale
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): After an intense 17-day competition, Kiraak Hyderabad has emerged victorious in the Pro Panja League Season 2, defeating Rohtak Rowdies with a score of 30-18 in the final held on Thursday. The champions received a cash prize of 20 lakh rupees from the league organizers. Nirmal Devi from Rohtak Rowdies was honored with the 'Player of the Day' title, while Satnam Singh from Kiraak Hyderabad was recognized as the 'Player of the Tournament'. Additionally, Stewe Thomas earned the title of 'Badshaho ka Badshah'.
Kiraak Hyderabad dominated the tournament, leading in points throughout and solidifying their reputation with a well-deserved victory in the finale. After finishing as runners-up last season by a narrow margin, they successfully claimed the championship this time, marking a significant achievement in their history.
In a remarkable feat, Stewe Thomas set a new Pro Panja League record by pinning Deepankhor Mech in just 0.09 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 0.10 seconds held by Sachin Goyal, as reported by the league.
Star-Studded Finale in Gwalior
The grand finale was graced by the co-founders of Pro Panja League, Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani, along with notable figures such as Organising Committee Chairman Prabal Pratap Singh Tomar, Hockey India Associate Vice President Devendra Pratap Singh Tomar, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra from the International Olympic Committee, professional wrestler Saurav Gurjar, and former kabaddi player Rahul Chaudhari. Olympic medalist and former boxer Vijender Singh was also present, supporting Rohtak Rowdies as their team ambassador.
The final match featured a total of 10 bouts, including four in the Undercard and six in the Main Card, showcasing one competitor from each category seen throughout the league.
Kiraak Hyderabad dominated the Undercard, achieving a clean sweep against Rohtak Rowdies. Aviliye Zuyie initiated the success with a decisive 2-0 win over Arshdeep Singh in the 90kg category. Naveen MV followed suit, defeating Nikhil Singh 2-0 in the 60kg match, and Rachna Jatav continued the trend with another 2-0 victory against Karabi Sonowal in the 55kg bout. Although Billa Tajamul from Rowdies fought valiantly, Captain Asker Ali secured the 80kg match with a 2-0 win, putting Kiraak Hyderabad in a strong position ahead of the Main Card.
In the Main Card, world champion Srinivas BV opened the scoring for Rohtak Rowdies with a 5-0 victory over Chandan Kumar Behera from Kiraak Hyderabad. Nirmal Devi further boosted Rohtak's momentum with a flawless 10-0 win against Jincy Jose in the 65+kg category. However, 18-year-old Aabhas Rana turned the tide back for Kiraak Hyderabad, winning 5-0 against Amit Chaudhary in the 100+kg division. Madhura KN from Kiraak Hyderabad showcased her skills with a 5-0 victory over Ribasuk Lyngdoh in the 65kg match, demonstrating her dominance with two quick pins.
As the championship drew near, Stewe Thomas delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Deepankhor Mech 10-0 in the 70kg bout. He clinched the title for Kiraak Hyderabad by pinning his opponent in just 0.09 seconds during the challenger round, with one match still remaining. Despite the loss, Dara Singh from Rohtak Rowdies maintained his competitive spirit, edging out Jagadish Baruah from Kiraak Hyderabad 3-2 in the 100kg category to conclude the event.
The thrilling season culminated in a spectacular finale, with Kiraak Hyderabad celebrating their well-earned victory by lifting the Pro Panja League Season 2 trophy.