Kiraak Hyderabad Triumphs Over Rohtak Rowdies to Claim Pro Panja League Title

Kiraak Hyderabad secured the title of Pro Panja League Season 2 champions after a decisive victory over Rohtak Rowdies, winning the final match 30-18 on March 14, 2025, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. This success marks a significant achievement for Kiraak Hyderabad, who not only lifted the trophy but also received a reward of ₹2 million for their efforts.

The tournament concluded after 17 days of intense competition, where Kiraak Hyderabad showcased their dominance throughout the season. Stewe Thomas emerged as a standout performer, earning the title of ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his exceptional skills. Nirmal Devi from Rohtak Rowdies was recognized as the ‘Player of the Day’, highlighting the competitive spirit of the final match.

Record-Breaking Performances and Celebrated Attendance

In a remarkable display, Stewe Thomas broke a Pro Panja League record by pinning his opponent, Deepankhor Mech, in just 0.09 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 0.10 seconds set by Sachin Goyal. This achievement underlined Kiraak Hyderabad’s overall strength as they led the tournament in points and delivered a stellar performance in the grand finale.

The event attracted a notable audience, including the co-founders of Pro Panja League, Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani. Other dignitaries included Organising Committee Chairman Prabal Pratap Singh Tomar, Associate Vice President of Hockey India Devendra Pratap Singh Tomar, and Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, a member of the International Olympic Committee. Olympic medallist and former boxer Vijender Singh was also present, lending his support to Rohtak Rowdies as their team ambassador.

A Thrilling Final Match

The final match consisted of ten bouts, divided into an Undercard and a Main Card. Kiraak Hyderabad dominated the Undercard, securing victories in all four matches. Aviliye Zuyie initiated the winning streak by defeating Arshdeep Singh 2-0 in the 90kg category, followed by Naveen MV’s 2-0 victory over Nikhil Singh in the 60kg division. Rachna Jatav continued the momentum with another 2-0 win against Karabi Sonowal in the 55kg contest.

Despite the early setbacks, Rohtak Rowdies fought back in the Main Card. World champion Srinivas BV opened the scoring for Rohtak Rowdies with a 5-0 victory over Chandan Kumar Behera in the Specially-Abled match. Nirmal Devi then activated the challenger round, achieving a flawless 10-0 win against Jincy Jose in the 65+kg category.

However, Kiraak Hyderabad’s young talent, Aabhas Rana, responded effectively, winning 5-0 against Amit Chaudhary in the 100+kg division. Madhura KN of Kiraak Hyderabad maintained the team’s advantage, outclassing Ribasuk Lyngdoh with a 5-0 victory in the 65kg bout.

The climax of the evening came when Stewe Thomas faced Deepankhor Mech. Thomas delivered an outstanding performance, clinching a 10-0 victory, which ultimately secured the championship for Kiraak Hyderabad with one match still remaining. Despite the loss, Dara Singh of Rohtak Rowdies ended the night on a high note by defeating Jagadish Baruah 3-2 in the 100kg category.

The Pro Panja League Season 2 concluded on a high note, with Kiraak Hyderabad celebrating their resounding success and etching their name in the league’s history.