NEW DELHI: India’s kabaddi stars delivered exceptional performances over the past year during the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), earning well-deserved nominations for the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024. Recognised for their skill and unmatched grit, these athletes will be honoured on February 22 during a grand ceremony in Lucknow, the historic ‘City of Nawabs.’
This year’s theme, #MoreSweatMoreGlory, pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of athletes and para-athletes across diverse sporting categories.
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The selection period for the awards covered achievements from January 1 to December 31, 2024, with the final list of awardees determined by the esteemed TOISA 2024 Jury.
Here are the kabaddi players nominated for TOISA 2024:
Kabaddi Player of the Year
Nitesh Kumar
Date of Birth: August 12, 1997
Place of Birth:
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– 77 tackle points earned in PKL 2024
– 8 High 5s in PKL 2024
– 74 successful tackles in PKL 2024 – second-highest in the season
– Best Defender of the PKL 2024 season
Nitesh Kumar earned himself the award for Best Defender of Season 11 in the Pro Kabaddi League. Representing Tamil Thalaivas, he played 22 matches and accumulated an impressive 77 tackle points, including a league-high eight High 5s—the most by any defender in PKL Season 11.
Devank
Date of Birth: April 1, 2000
Place of Birth: Rohtak, Haryana
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– 301 points in PKL 2024 – season highest
– 18 Super 10’s in PKL 2024 – season’s joint-highest
– 8 Super Raids in PKL 2024 – season’s second highest
– Best Raider award for PKL 2024
Devank shone as the standout raider of PKL 2024, claiming the Best Raider award. With an impressive 301 raid points in 24 matches, Devank was stupendous for Patna Pirates. He finished tied best for the most Super 10s in the season, racking up an incredible 18 – a personal best in PKL history. He produced a stunning 25-point performance against Tamil Thalaivas which was a highlight.
Ayan Lohchab
Date of Birth: October 9, 2005
Place of Birth:
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– 184 raid points – fifth highest in PKL 2024
– 193 overall points – fourth highest in PKL 2024
– 156 successful raids – fourth highest in PKL 2024
– New Young Player of the PKL 2024 season
Ayan Lohchab made a big mark in PKL 2024, earning the New Young Player award for his outstanding debut season. Ayan notched 184 raid points in 25 matches for the Patna Pirates. On the mat, Ayan notched seven Super 10s and aided the defence by contributing with nine tackle points. He had a 56% successful raid strike rate during the season.
Ashu Malik
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– 18 Super 10s in PKL 2024
– 265 total points in PKL 2024
– 8 Super Raids – joint-second highest in PKL 2024
– 11.39 average raid points – second highest in the league
Ashu Malik finished top of the Super 10s charts in the 2024 season of the Pro Kabaddi League. A veteran of the league, he notched 265 points from 23 matches for the Dabang Delhi. He was successful in 59% of his raids and collected 11.39 raid points in each outing.
Ankit Jaglan
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– 79 tackle points – second most in PKL 2024
– 8 Super Tackles – joint-third most in PKL 2024
– 71 successful tackles – third most in PKL 2024
Ankit Jaglan carried the responsibility of leading the team and the defence during the Pro Kabaddi League 2024. Ankit led from the front as he scored 79 tackle points to finish among the top two defenders in PKL this past season. Thanks to his leadership and defensive skills, Patna Pirates qualified for the PKL final for a record-extending fifth time.
Aslam Inamdar
Date of Birth: February 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Maharashtra
Sport: Kabaddi (Men’s)
Major Achievements in 2024
– Won Pro Kabaddi League’s Season 10 title with Puneri Paltan
In 2024, Inamdar led Puneri Paltan to their maiden Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) title in Season 10, showcasing his exceptional leadership and skill. The 24-year-old was instrumental in his team’s success, contributing significantly throughout the season.
Inamdar also played a key role in the Indian gold medal-winning side at the Hangzhou Asian Games. With 545 points from 70 matches in the PKL, Inamdar’s consistency and performance have made him a standout figure in the world of kabaddi.