NEW DELHI: Pro Kabaddi League star Rahul Sethpal has made his mark. He led Haryana Steelers to victory in PKL Season 11. He also won gold at the 71st Senior National Kabaddi Championships. The right corner defender shared his journey in โRise of a Starโ on PKLโs YouTube.
Hailing from Bapulia village, Panipat, he started young. A local tournament offering jerseys drew him in. His father pushed for studies. But his mother stood by him. โShe believed in me,โ he recalls.
His mentor Nitin Rawal played a key role. A star defender himself, Rawal supported him emotionally and financially. โHe helped my brother and me reach here,โ Sethpal shares. Rawalโs encouragement and belief gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams against all odds.
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Rising Through the Ranks
The turning point came in Junior Nationals. His team had only two raiders and five defenders. Against the odds, they won gold for Sports Authority of India. This success boosted his confidence and prepared him for greater challenges.
His career took off with U Mumba in 2019. His first big moment? Tackling Pawan Sehrawat, one of the leagueโs best raiders. โThat was special!โ he says. This performance caught everyoneโs attention and secured his place in professional Kabaddi.
Later, Haryana Steelers signed him for INR 40.7 lakhs. He became their top defender. In PKL 11, he scored 73 tackle points in 24 matches. His overall PKL record? 196 tackle points, 30 Super Tackles, and 13 High 5s. His contribution was crucial in Steelersโ championship-winning run, marking a defining moment in his career.
โPKL changed my life,โ Sethpal admits. โComing from a middle-class family, I never imagined this.โ Staying in top hotels and earning well was once a dream. The league gave him financial stability and recognition, something he never thought possible.
His goal is clear. โI want to play for India and leave a legacy in the Pro Kabaddi League.โ His team trusts him, and he wants to keep making his country proud. He aims to continue performing at the highest level, inspire young players, and cement his place in the sportโs history.
