Ankit Saharwa: From Saharwa Village to Rising Star of Yuva Kabaddi Series

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Sonipat Spartans' dynamic right raider, Ankit Saharwa, has been turning heads in the Yuva Kabaddi Series since making his debut in the Monsoon Edition 2023.

Hailing from Saharwa village in Haryana, Ankit began his kabaddi journey at the age of 10 and has since emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the sport.

Currently competing in the inaugural Yuva All Stars Championship in Haridwar, Ankit has registered 20 raid points in five matches. His overall performance in the Yuva Kabaddi Series has been exceptional, with 442 points accumulated from 60 matches across four tournaments.

From Humble Beginnings to Kabaddi Stardom

Ankit took up kabaddi seriously in 2017 and joined an academy in Hisar a year later. "In 2018, I joined an academy in Hisar and left in 2022 due to some issues with the coach," he shared.

Despite coming from a modest background, Ankit's family has been his pillar of support. His father, a carpenter, and his mother, a homemaker, ensured he faced no financial hurdles in his pursuit of the sport. His younger sister is currently focused on her studies.

His father, a former kabaddi player, was unable to pursue the sport professionally due to family responsibilities but always encouraged Ankit to follow his dreams. "My father was also a kabaddi player but couldn't fulfill his dream due to a big family of 10 siblings. He didn't get the support but wanted me to complete his dream of becoming a big kabaddi player," Ankit revealed.

Breakthrough in the Yuva Kabaddi Series

Ankit's entry into the Yuva Kabaddi Series came after a successful trial. "Rinku called me up and said there was a trial going on for YKS, so he took me over there," he recalled.

His participation in the tournament provided him with much-needed recognition. "I got recognition after playing in the Yuva Kabaddi Series. Everyone started to know me, and I got a team to play with when I didn't have anyone to play with me permanently," he said with pride.

Ankit made an immediate impact with Murthal Magnets, debuting against Palani Tuskers in a crucial match. "I single-handedly won the match for my team against the best team in the league. Our team's main raider had returned home for personal reasons, and I filled in his shoes and proved myself," he shared.

He was also a key player in Murthal Magnets' journey to the finals of the YKS Winter Edition 2023, where they finished as runners-up.

Overcoming Challenges and Eyeing a Pro Kabaddi League Future

Despite his talent, Ankit faced a challenging period where he had to train alone with no team to practice with. At one point, he even considered quitting the sport, but his father played a crucial role in keeping his dream alive.

"I wanted to quit kabaddi in between, but my father didn't allow me to do so. He motivated me and assured that he'll take care of everything," Ankit shared.

A gold medalist at the All India University Games, Ankit now aspires to play in the Pro Kabaddi League. Having trained alone for over three years, he has developed a unique way of preparing for matches.

"I set up everything in my mind and practice alone. The corner, the corner's foot, I put a slip and a kick. I have to make a guess ahead and assume a block will come from here. That's how I practice alone," he explained.

Being the only kabaddi player from his village, Ankit has now become an inspiration to younger boys in Saharwa, who have started training with him.

Although he initially played circle kabaddi like his father, he chose to transition into professional kabaddi after being inspired by the Pro Kabaddi League. "When I saw the Pro Kabaddi League, I wanted to transition into playing professional kabaddi. I told my father that I didn't want to play circle kabaddi, and he supported my decision," Ankit concluded.

With unwavering determination and a hunger to succeed, Ankit Saharwa is on a path to making a name for himself in the world of kabaddi, with his sights firmly set on the Pro Kabaddi League.