Hitting ‘Bull’s Eye

With the second season of the Pro Kabaddi League just around the corner, it’s time for the ‘lords of the rings’ to lunge forth. With scores of national championships and a gold at the Asian Games under his belt, we speak to Bengaluru Bulls’ star player and the best raider in the Indian Kabaddi team, the 29-year-old Ajay Thakur.

Following in the footsteps of Kabaddi player and Arjuna Awardee, Rakesh Kumar, Ajay took to the ring when he was only 13. “I watched him carefully and began by playing with him,” he recollects, now playing alongside one of his inspirations. In no time, he was participating in national championships and raiding a series of wins and titles. Bagging a gold at the Asian Indoor Games and the National Games, “Representing India at the Indonesian Games in China was another moment to cherish,” says Ajay. Although these honours had his career in overdrive, it was the glitzy, action-packed League that bagged him many followers. “And it’s a good platform too, for enthusiastic youngsters to play the sport safely,” says the raider who was bagged by the Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 12.2 lakh last season and continues to prep him for a stellar performance.

Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, the towering lad’s parents may have always been in the service industry – his father is an Assistant Sub Inspector with the Himachal Police and his mother works at a gas agency, but Ajay never missed squaring off at a game of chess or volleyball. And what could he do when he has people like Arjuna Awardee Pankaj Shirsat on his most admired list? “Before a big match however, I pray to Lord Bajrang Bali for strength, balance of mind and safety from injury since it is a rough sport. That aside, I’ve a host of strength, endurance, running and stretching exercises that I stick to,” says the youngster who is now being hailed as the Virat Kohli of Kabaddi. Ajay has always been one for simplicity – as simple as his usual strength mix of milk, crushed almonds and desi ghee. But with the League putting him in the spotlight, it’s now all about trendy juices, colourful jerseys and attention. “I’m looking to score as many points or be safe when the situation demands it – it’s all about team work,” says the team player. When it’s not all about putting his game face on, “I hang out with my friends, play with my dogs Peter and Jimmy or get it going with a game of volleyball,” says the player who wants to someday, open an academy at his village to condition the young to Kabbadi.