Sakthivel Thangavelu

Sakthivel Thangavelu hails from Kujayapuram in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Growing up in a family where Kabaddi runs in the blood, with his father Thangavelu working as a daily wage laborer and his mother Muniyamma taking care of the household, Sakthivel was inspired by his elder brothers Subramani and Nedhivel, who also excel in the sport. At the age of 11, Sakthivel began his Kabaddi journey, primarily as a Left Corner Defender, after watching his brothers dominate the mat. His favorite Kabaddi player, Vishwanth Vijaykumar, serves as his source of inspiration, especially for his versatile gameplay. Sakthivel's signature move, the Ankle Hold, has earned him recognition on the Kabaddi field. He received his initial training from Suppaiah, a police officer from his village. Representing Karpagam University, Sakthivel has participated in prestigious tournaments like the Yuva Kabaddi Series, 48th Junior Nationals, and Junior Federation Cup 2023. Among his career highlights is the proud moment of clinching victory in the Yuva Kabaddi Series held in Pondicherry. Currently in his third year of B.Com, Sakthivel harbors aspirations of securing a job through Kabaddi and making his mark in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). His ultimate goal is to support his family and contribute to their well-being through his passion for Kabaddi. With his strong left corner defense and unwavering determination, Sakthivel aims to carve out a successful career both on and off the Kabaddi mat.