Gyanaranjan Nayak

Gyanaranjan Nayak, born on July 4, 2004, in the vibrant neighborhood of Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, has always had a heart full of ambition. Growing up in a humble family, his father Raju works as a truck loader and his mother Laxmi sells fish. Despite the challenges, Gyanaranjan's spirit has never wavered. He shares a close bond with his younger sister, Dipti, who is not only a student but also a budding Kabaddi player herself. Gyanaranjan discovered his passion for Kabaddi at the age of 15, thanks to a friend who encouraged him to join a local school tournament. His impressive performance opened his eyes to the world of competitive sports, and since then, he has been sharpening his skills at Kishore Club, Unit 1, under the guidance of Coach Surya Kanta Mohanty. He particularly excels in running hand touch, a skill that showcases his finesse on the field. His highlight moment was competing in an All India Tournament where his team reached the semifinals. Even though they lost to Rohtak, the support from his village filled him with pride and motivation. Now in his second year of undergraduate studies, Gyanaranjan dreams of one day representing the Indian Kabaddi Team, fueled by his admiration for players like Aslam Imandar. With unwavering determination, he is ready to take on any challenge that comes his way.