Rio Olympic gold medallist Vladimer Khinchegashvili of Georgia emerged as the costliest buy in the Pro Wrestling league (PWl) auction, while young Indian Bajrang Punia was signed by Delhi for `38 lakh ($56,043) here on Friday. Khinchegashvili joined CDR Punjab Royals for `48 lakh.
The closed bid was held here with world-renowned auctioneer Bob Hayton leading the proceedings. With an eye on solidity and consistency over flashier purchases, the six franchises: Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, bid cautiously and sensibly to ensure they had competitive squads going into the second season. According to the rules all teams operated with a `2 crores cap on the purse to form a 9-member squad that should have five men and four women, five Indian and four international wrestlers.
Rio Olympics gold medalist Khinchegashvili, bought by Punjab franchise, was the top-buy at a price tag of `48 lakhs. The Georgian grappler bettered his 2012 Olympics silver medal at Rio in the 55-60 kg category.
Delhi franchise splurged `47 lakhs for Mariya Stadnik making her the most expensive women wrestler at the auction on Friday. The 48 kg wrestler won the silver in 2016 and 2012 Olympics with a bronze in 2008 edition.
Bajrang Punia was the most expensive Indian wrestler signed up by Delhi for `38 lakhs. Joining him in Delhi is Sakshi Malik, the Indian grappler, who won bronze at Rio Olympics, fetched `30 lakhs.
But Ritu Phogat, 2016 Commonwealth Championship gold medalist became the most expensive Indian women wrestler at `36 lakhs after being signed by new entrants Jaipur.
Joining Sakshi in Delhi will be her fiancé Satyavart Kadian (97 kg). While the Phogat sisters Babita and Geeta will represent the Uttar Pradesh franchise.
Among other top buys, 2016 world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev from Russia was bought by Haryana franchise, to become the second most expensive men's wrestler at `47 lakhs. Mumbai snapped 2016 gold medalist (75 kg) Erica Wiebe for `43 lakhs making her the second most expensive women wrestler followed by three-time world champion Sofia Mattsson from Sweden who was signed by Haryana at `41.50 lakhs.
Star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt opted out of Pro Wrestling league season 2 as he decided not to go under the hammer at Friday's auction. london Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar, who represented the Haryana franchise last year, had earlier itself casted doubts over his participation in the league as his wedding date was clashing with the tournament, scheduled to be held from January 2-19.