From Thoothukudi to Delhi, GS Manikanta heralding Tamil Nadu's kabaddi rage
Take a look across the Delhi Dabang training camp here at Thyagaraj Stadium and you will see a certain stout and diminutive defender who, unlike most others, seems to have a unique way of tackling opponents in his half. People associated with the sport must have heard about Scorpion Kick, Frog Jump, Toe Touch, etc., but seldom would we come across anyone who would be acquainted with a move called “Mundu Charge”.
The man who has revolutionised the sport by using this unique move is a certain G S Manikanta, a versatile defender hailing from Thoothukudi in Tamilnadu. Known for his dashing style of defending, Manikanta can play in both right and left corner and has been given the nickname “Mundappa Das” in his village due to his ability of using the head as a weapon while dashing.
Talking with Sportskeeda about his involvement in the game, he said, “Amidst a busy schedule, playing gives me emotional bliss and mental peace, helping me relax and connect with myself. Travelling as member of the state team and now here has sensitised me greatly. It made me flexible, open-minded and adaptable.
“I realised the importance of these qualities while dedicating time to work with other people from my village, in an endeavour to make a difference to the community thereby functioning at grass-roots level.”
Season two of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi will be Manikanta’s debut in the league. The 26-year-old has been playing at the junior and senior Nationals since 2010 and will don the colours of Dabang Delhi for the very first time.
Manikanta is inspired by statemate D. Suresh Kumar and his stint with Patna Pirates last year. A big fan of Jackie Chan, he dreams of making a name in kabaddi and believes Dabang Delhi would provide the right platform to march forward.
As Manikanta acknowledges, “The profound discussions and time I have spent with the squad cultivated my on-court skills further, inducing confidence that I possess the maturity and resilience to compete in intense and demanding settings involved in the Pro Kabaddi League.”
Needless to say, as much as he has gained from the league, the league is all the richer with him in it, too.