Venkata Phanindra Kareti

Meet Venkata Phanindra Kareti, a dynamic young kabaddi player from the picturesque town of Savaredum in Andhra Pradesh. Born on October 13, 2001, he comes from a humble family. His father, Srinivasa Rao, works tirelessly as a farmer, while his mother, Rama Devi, provides unwavering support as a dedicated homemaker. Venkata shares a close bond with his elder sister, Lakshmi Prasanna, and his younger brother, Samba Siva Rao, both of whom cheer him on, even if kabaddi isn’t quite their passion. Venkata's journey in kabaddi began at the age of 15, motivated by the incredible performances of senior players. He found his calling as a Left Cover Defender, where his standout skill, the Running Block, truly comes to life. Under the mentorship of Coach Sreekanth at SKY Academy in Vijayawada, he has diligently refined his techniques and strategies. Inspired by his favorite player, Ajay Thakur, especially his leadership qualities, Venkata has already made impressive strides in his career. He has competed at the national level in two Junior Nationals and several South Zone University events. Now in his final year pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, he dreams big—aiming to shine in the Pro Kabaddi League and represent India one day. With his determination and dedication, Venkata is all set to take the kabaddi world by storm.