In a departure from conventional sporting venues, industrialist Yohan Poonawalla and Michelle Poonawalla hosted an exclusive Pro Panja League event at their private residence in Pune, converting the mansion into a competitive arena for professional arm wrestling.
The initiative marked a distinctive format for the sport in India, with the residential setting offering an intimate, close-quarter viewing experience unlike traditional stadiums or arenas.
Pro Panja League, India’s professional arm-wrestling league, was founded by Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani. The league has positioned itself as a spectator-driven platform that combines athletic competition with contemporary presentation, as arm wrestling continues to gain traction internationally and expand its footprint in India.
The association also held personal significance for the Poonawalla family. The league was introduced to Yohan Poonawalla by his son, Zayan, who actively practices the sport. His interest fostered a connection with the league and its athletes, leading to the decision to host the event at the family residence.
The evening, live-streamed on the Swen app, featured three competitive bouts, including a women’s match underscoring the league’s focus on inclusivity and female participation in strength sports.
Match 1 featured a women’s contest between Olivia Dkhar, the 18-year-old National and Meghalaya State Champion representing MP Hathodas, and Bimla Rawat of Delhi, the 2025 PAFI Female Arm-wrestler of the Year and four-time gold medallist at the 2025 Nationals, competing for Jaipur Veers.
Match 2 presented a heavyweight bout between Tushar Awasthi, reigning Youth and Senior Heavyweight Champion and multiple-time Delhi State Champion from MP Hathodas, and Paarth Sonni, a multiple-time National and State Heavyweight Champion from Mumbai representing Mumbai Muscle.
Match 3 featured Yuvraj Verma, reigning Champion of Champions and multiple-time National and Delhi State Champion from Mumbai Muscle, against Aabhas Rana of Meerut, the 18-year-old Junior World Champion and reigning Asian Champion representing Kiraak Hyderabad, Season 2 champions.
Commenting on the evening, Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman, Poonawalla Group, said, “Sport has an incredible ability to unite people across backgrounds, and that spirit is something we deeply value. Hosting Pro Panja at our home was about supporting a league that is modern, inclusive, and globally relevant, while offering athletes and audiences an environment that truly celebrates the sport.”
Michelle Poonawalla, Director, Poonawalla Group, said, “For me, sport is as much about emotion and connection as it is about strength and competition. Bringing Pro Panja League into our home was a conscious choice to break conventions and create a setting where athletes, especially women are seen, celebrated, and felt up close. It was inspiring to witness such raw talent and determination in an environment that encouraged intimacy, inclusivity, and new ways of experiencing sport.”
Pro Panja League Co-Founders Preeti Jhangiani and Parvin Dabas said, “The Pro Panja League was built to be flexible, inclusive, and open to new ways of experiencing sport. Hosting the Mega Matches at the Poonawalla residence reflected that spirit perfectly, bringing athletes and audiences closer than ever. We’re grateful to Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla for all their support and openness in making this event happen, and to Ajay Marwah for his role in coordinating a truly unique evening.”
By hosting the league at their Pune residence, Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla extended support to a domestic sporting platform seeking to broaden its reach, while introducing an alternative format for presenting competitive sport in India.
