Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], March 2 (ANI): Four days. Fifty-four matches. Twenty-nine groups. One champion. The 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Championship in Vadodara was greater than a event; it was a reminder of why the Nationals stay the beating coronary heart of Indian kabaddi.
From the opening whistle on the Sama Indoor Complex to the ultimate raid of the championship conflict, the occasion captured the total spectrum of the game — energy, precision and unpredictability.
Established stars from the Pro Kabaddi League returned to their state colors, hungry to show themselves as soon as once more. Emerging skills seized their second on the largest home stage.
According to a press launch from the event, there have been large wins, Tamil Nadu’s 59-point thrashing of Manipur on Day 1, Uttar Pradesh’s 37-point victory over the identical opponents on Day 2, and Maharashtra’s robust efficiency within the semifinal, beating Uttar Pradesh.
There had been surprises, Uttar Pradesh knocking out defending champions Services in a high-scoring match. And there was excessive drama, Railways and Chandigarh tied at 38-38 earlier than the sport was determined in a tense tie-breaker.
And on the finish of all of it stood Indian Railways, scientific and relentless.
Led by Sunil Kumar and powered by a balanced unit, Railways mixed raiding effectivity with defensive metal to outlast the sector and overpower Maharashtra 49-31 within the remaining. Pankaj Mohite’s raids minimize deep, Ashu Malik delivered beneath stress but once more, and Shubham Shinde’s tackling set the tone for a facet that peaked when it mattered most. It was a marketing campaign constructed on depth, self-discipline and big-match temperament.
But past the trophy elevate, this version of the Senior Nationals belonged to the broader kabaddi ecosystem.
Bhavani Rajput’s 58 raid factors throughout the event underlined the starvation of gamers from each nook of the nation. Arjun Deshwal’s management for Uttar Pradesh, Aditya Shinde’s affect for Maharashtra, Pawan Sehrawat’s spark for Chandigarh — the championship showcased how seamlessly the home circuit and the skilled league now feed into one another.
Vadodara performed host to a celebration of India’s indigenous sport — packed stands, excessive depth, and the unmistakable sound of defenders thundering throughout the mat. For 4 days, the Nationals as soon as once more proved why they continue to be the truest check of staff energy and particular person character.
As groups return residence and the highlight shifts to future camps with an eye fixed on the upcoming Asian Games in Japan later in 2026, one factor is for certain: the 72nd version has set a brand new benchmark — not simply in outcomes, however in high quality, competitiveness and perception. (ANI)