Arun Pandian Rajendran

Arun Pandian, a player for Kattakudi Sports in the YKS TN Clubs 2024 tournament, was born on July 11, 1999, in Karaikal, Puducherry (UT). He currently resides in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, having moved there to join the Sports Authority of India (SAI). His father, Rajendran, is a farmer, and his mother, Jodhi, is a homemaker. Arun has no siblings. Arun started playing kabaddi at the age of 12, initially to skip classes and get picked for the school team. His journey in kabaddi began with his Physical Education teacher, Selvaganesh, who coached him in class 11 and helped him get selected for SAI. At SAI, Arun was further groomed by Anandha Krishnan, who developed him into a professional kabaddi player. As an all-rounder, Arun plays primarily as a left corner and left raider. His best skills include the corner hand touch and angle hold. He practices at SRM University, Katankalathur. Arun’s favorite player is Anup Kumar of U Mumba, admired for his calm demeanor, bonus skills, and jumping abilities. Anup Kumar's leadership as India's captain and current role as a coach for Junior India inspire Arun, who wears the same jersey number. Arun has represented his school at state and national levels, as well as All India University and Khelo India games in 2023, where he won bronze medals. His favorite skills are hand touch, hand rotation, and toe touch. Besides kabaddi, Arun loves cricket, especially inspired by MS Dhoni, and enjoys watching cricket matches. He holds a B.Sc. in Physical Education, completed in 2023, and a Diploma in Yoga, completed in 2024. A highlight of his career was winning a bronze medal in the All India University Games and Khelo India. Arun aspires to play in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Although he missed an earlier opportunity to join a PKL camp due to an injury that sidelined him for one and a half years, he is now recovered and focused on making a strong comeback in PKL.