When M Sudhakar was 21 years old in 2019, he made a unique personal commitment to himself, a commitment that he would never watch professional Kabaddi until the day he became a participant. By 2023, determined and stubborn Sudhakar was not to be found in the crowds-or anywhere else-but on the mat, this time putting on the kohl and representing Patna Pirates, one of the most high-profile teams in the league.

Sudhakar hails from Palayanallur, a village near Trichy in Tamil Nadu known for its love of kabaddi. The sport runs in his family’s veins—his father, four elder brothers, and cousins all played kabaddi locally. Naturally, he gravitated toward the game from a young age. However, being the youngest in the family, he wasn’t allowed to travel for tournaments. That changed in his 11th grade during a moment he describes as “life-altering.”

Recalling that day, Sudhakar says, “There was a match in a nearby village, and while the senior players had already left the previous night, two teammates were heading there the next morning with ID cards. They invited me to join them. My elder brother, Sangeeth, was upset when he saw me there. But fate had other plans. When one player didn’t meet the weight requirement, I was asked to step in. I scored four points and led the team to victory. That was the turning point.”

That was a turning point for him toward Sudhakar’s journey in Kabaddi. Mostly he’d be found running on the muddy fields early in the morning trying to be in form. He ingrained his capabilities alone, and it came off big-time at the under-19 Yuvak Kabaddi Competition’s winter edition in 2022, with him best raider of the season with 320 raid points. This act was recognized by the scouts at PKL, and afterward, it was decided that he would join the three-time championship team, Patna Pirates.

PKL is such a thrill for Sudhakar. He said those were the first flights he ever took—a distinct memory worth cherishing-so exploring cities and getting to condition with one of India’s finest kabaddi player, Sachin Tanwar, topped the list of memories. But also, in general for Sudhakar, it’s more than his personal achievements; he wants to upgrade his family’s position.

His father, a daily wage laborer, Maruthamuthu, earns around ₹800 a day, and he was scoffed at for being secure under the false assumption that his sons might not amount to much. “People used to say we would never amount to anything and that we’d end up lifting sacks like him,” Sudhakar shares. His father’s struggles, including carrying 90-kilogram sacks despite a partially paralyzed hand, deeply impacted Sudhakar. “In eighth grade, he brought sacks to my school, and it hurt to see how hard he worked,” he recalls.

Today, Sudhakar’s success has rewritten the narrative in his village. With a PKL contract worth ₹8 lakh for the season, he has brought pride to his family. “Now, people praise my father for raising a sportsperson. My mother told me he comes home beaming with joy after hearing people talk about me,” he says. His mother’s words, “nalla peru vaangi kuduthute [you’ve earned us a good name],” remain a source of comfort and pride.

On the mat, however, Sudhakar feels he still has more to prove. “I haven’t displayed my full potential yet. I can score bonus points, execute airborne touches, and perform multi-point raids. With more opportunities, I’ll show everyone what I’m capable of,” he asserts.

Having played in 11 out of 12 matches this season, Sudhakar has already scored 67 points. In his village, he’s celebrated as a ‘PKL star’—the first from Palayanallur to compete at such a prestigious level. Despite this recognition, Sudhakar remains focused on greater aspirations, drawing inspiration from kabaddi legends like Pardeep Narwal and Ajay Thakur.