Gwalior — The second season of the Pro Panja League (PPL) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has been heralded as a new era for professional armwrestling, with international coaches praising the platform as the best in the world. According to a PPL release, the tournament’s professional standards and vibrant atmosphere surpass even global competitions like the World and Asian Championships.
The league, which brings together top foreign coaches and Indian players from across the country, is celebrated for fostering athletic excellence, diversity, and unity. These experienced coaches have elevated the skill level and competitiveness of all six teams in Season 2.
A Unified Community
Elena, the head coach of MP Hathodas from the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed her amazement at the league’s energy. “The Pro Panja League is one of the most unique developments in armwrestling,” she said. “To be honest, it’s far superior to the World and Asian Championships. Every athlete here receives the attention they deserve, and the teams, built with players from all over India, become one big family. It’s beautiful to see such unity amidst diversity.”
Maksym Polishchuk, a Ukrainian citizen and head coach of the Jaipur Veers, was equally impressed with the league’s commitment to growth. “Everyone involved, from the managers to the organizers, is constantly improving,” he said. “The focus on making the sport more widely known is fantastic. The effort here is remarkable, and I came back for Season 2 because I love this place.”
Upholding Tradition and Driving Innovation
Vali Farajov, a Kazakh citizen and head coach for Rohtak Rowdies, shared his deep connection to the sport. “Armwrestling is more than just a sport to me; it’s my life,” he said. With decades of experience as a coach and referee, Farajov emphasized the sport’s simplicity and safety. “You don’t need a huge gym or heavy equipment; anyone can practice at home with passion,” he added. “The Pro Panja League is upholding the tradition of strength, respect, and togetherness on the world’s largest platform.”
The creator of the Pro Panja League, Parvinn Dabass, highlighted the league’s mission. “When we started, our goal was to build a platform that not only showcases the best Indian talent but also attracts the world’s finest minds and athletes,” he stated. He pointed to the league’s success in achieving this goal, evidenced by the Indian team’s second-place finish in the Asian Armwrestling Championship this year.
Looking ahead, Season 3 of the league will further expand its global reach by bringing in international athletes to compete alongside its Indian talent, all of whom will be coached by the same elite international professionals, ensuring the Pro Panja League continues to set the standard for professional armwrestling.
