Pradip Akangire

Pradip Kamalakar Akangire, born on June 5, 2001, in Renapur, Latur, Maharashtra, currently resides in the same locality. His father, Kamalakar Akangire, works as a farmer, while his mother, Sunita Akangire, manages the household. Pradip has two elder sisters named Pranita and Pratiksha, although they do not play kabaddi. Pradip's journey in kabaddi began in 2013, inspired by the numerous kabaddi players from his village who have successfully joined the police force. With aspirations to follow in their footsteps, he started playing kabaddi, focusing primarily on the position of Left Raider. His signature skills include bonus points and hand touches, which he has honed through dedicated practice at Jai Hanuman Krida Mandal in Renapur, under the guidance of coach Vivek Reddy. One of Pradip's favorite players is Aslam Inamdar, whom he admires not only for his kabaddi skills but also for his personality. Pradip and Aslam have played together for Aurangabad University, forging a strong bond on and off the kabaddi court. Despite not having siblings who play kabaddi, Pradip has achieved notable milestones in his kabaddi career. He has represented his state consistently, securing second place in the U-14 Nationals in 2014 and participating in national camps. Additionally, he has showcased his skills at the university level, notably in a memorable match against Nagpur University in 2017, where he leveled the scores with a crucial raid, although his team ultimately lost the match. In addition to kabaddi, Pradip is passionate about shotput and running, engaging in these sports alongside his kabaddi pursuits. Currently pursuing his education in BPed (1st year), Pradip aspires to secure a job in the police force and compete in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in the future, combining his love for the sport with his career ambitions.