The Inspiring Tale of Ankit Saharwa: From Saharwa Village to Kabaddi Stardom in the Yuva Kabaddi Series
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Ankit Saharwa, a right raider for Sonipat Spartans, has captured attention in the Yuva Kabaddi Series since his 2023 debut. Originating from Saharwa village in Haryana, Ankit began his kabaddi journey at 10 and has since become a rising star, overcoming challenges and inspiring young athletes.
Key Takeaways
- Started kabaddi at age 10 in Saharwa village.
- Achieved 442 points in 60 matches across four tournaments.
- Faced challenges, including training alone and family support.
- Recognized after participating in the Yuva Kabaddi Series.
- Aspiring to play in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Haridwar, March 16 (NationPress) The right raider for Sonipat Spartans, Ankit Saharwa, has been making headlines in the Yuva Kabaddi Series since his first appearance in the Monsoon Edition 2023. As one of the most promising kabaddi talents in India, Ankit, who originates from Saharwa village in Haryana, embarked on his kabaddi journey at the tender age of 10.
Currently, he is competing in the inaugural Yuva All Stars Championship in Haridwar. The right-raider has accumulated 20 raid points from five matches. Overall, Ankit has secured 442 points from 60 games across four tournaments in the Yuva Kabaddi Series.
His kabaddi career began in 2017 when he joined an academy in Hisar the following year. "In 2018, I became part of an academy in Hisar and departed in 2022 due to certain disagreements with the coach," he recounted.
Ankit comes from humble beginnings; his father is a carpenter, and his mother is a homemaker. He has a younger sister who is currently studying. Despite their modest means, his family provided unwavering support, ensuring he faced no financial obstacles in his formative years.
His father, a former kabaddi player, was unable to pursue the sport professionally due to inadequate support. "My father was also a kabaddi player but couldn’t achieve his dreams because he had a large family of 10 siblings. He lacked support but wanted me to fulfill his dream of becoming a successful kabaddi player," he shared.
Ankit joined the Yuva Kabaddi Series after a successful trial. "Rinku called me and informed me about a trial happening for YKS, so he took me there," he explained about his path to the tournament.
He also mentioned that the tournament provided him with a platform to establish his name in the sport. "I gained recognition after participating in the Yuva Kabaddi Series. People started to recognize me, and I found a team to play with when I previously had no permanent teammates," he stated proudly.
Ankit had an outstanding start to his career in the Yuva Kabaddi Series with the Murthal Magnets. He made his debut against the Palani Tuskers in the absence of the club’s main raider. Reflecting on his experience, he said, "I single-handedly led my team to victory against one of the strongest teams in the league. Our primary raider had to return home for personal matters, and I stepped up and proved my worth."
He also achieved a runner-up position with the Murthal Magnets in the YKS Winter Edition 2023. The player from Haryana faced a challenging period where he trained alone and lacked a team for practice. Ankit contemplated quitting kabaddi, but his father encouraged him to persist in the sport.
"I thought about quitting kabaddi at one point, but my father wouldn’t let me. He motivated me and assured me he would handle everything," Ankit added.
Ankit, a gold medalist at the All India University Games, is eager for an opportunity to play in the Pro Kabaddi League. He has been training solo for over three years. When asked how he managed to train alone, Ankit replied, "I visualize everything in my mind and practice alone. I use a slip and a kick for the corner, anticipating blocks in advance. That’s my solo training method.
As the only kabaddi player from his village, several young boys from Saharwa look up to Ankit after witnessing his achievements. The 12-year-olds train alongside Ankit, aspiring to emulate his success in kabaddi.
Ankit also revealed that he initially played circle kabaddi, just like his father, but aspired to play professionally. His father fully supported him when he expressed his desire. "After watching the Pro Kabaddi League, I wanted to transition into professional kabaddi. I informed my father that I no longer wanted to play circle kabaddi, and he backed my decision," Ankit concluded.
