Pursuing kabaddi defenders and a B.Ed simultaneously - Meet Dabang Delhi's Selvamani K

With less than a couple of minutes left on the clock in their opening fixture here at the Thyagaraj Stadium, Selvamani K was bestowed with the responsibility to raid and revive the Dabangs in what had proved to be a pulsating affair against the Bengal Warriors. And revive he did, pulling off a super raid and snatching 2 points. The lead that the visitors had maintained was reduced and the hosts suddenly had a one point game.

They soon ran out of luck though and the Warriors eeked out a couple of crucial points in the end to edge them 20-17. Unfortunate, yes but, not demoralizing for sure, especially for the brilliance exhibited by the youngster from Salem in Tamil Nadu.

Last night too, the 24-year-old showed tremendous courage as he time and again thwart the Titans defence and even pulled off a couple of super raids. For someone who was playing for his local club till some months back, it’s been an incredible transformation.

Coach Honnappa C Gowda, who scouted the starlet, couldn’t stop heaping praise on this prodigy, “As you have seen over the last few matches, he is a brilliant prospect. If he can just work a little on gaining strength in his lower body, I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks in to the national team soon.”

Known for his agility which allows him to sneak past defenders in a flash, the lanky raider is currently pursuing a B.Ed degree at Annamalai University and has represented Tamil Nadu in Senior Nationals. He however intends to land a job near Delhi soon and pursue what he deems as a hobby full time.

Given the poise that he has exhibited during the current tourney, it shouldn’t take long before he achieves that and scale greater heights in the sport!