Nagababu, son of a fisherman makes it big in kabaddi

Chekka Nagababu of Vizianagaram Ninjas broke records in the Yuva Andhra Championship with 226 raid points and five consecutive Thunder20s. From humble beginnings in a fishing village, he now aims for the Telugu Kabaddi League and the Pro Kabaddi League.

HYDERABAD: Chekka Nagababu, son of a fisherman from Vijayawada, was the star performer in the Yuva Andhra Championship with a record-breaking performance. Representing Vizianagaram Ninjas, the 29-year-old was adjusted ‘best raider ‘ of the championship scoring a stunning 226 raid points at an incredible strike rate of 71 per cent.

Nagababu happened to the first player to cross both 100 and 200 raid points, and the only one to record five consecutive Thunder20s.

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In the Super 4 stage, the gifted player delivered three back-to-back Thunder20s, stamping his dominance on the league. His consistency has now made him a strong contender for selection in the upcoming Telugu Kabaddi League (TKL).

While his team finished second in the championship, Nagababu’s individual brilliance stood out as one of the highlights of the season.

“The Yuva Kabaddi Series holds profound importance for me because, until now, I have only participated in smaller, local tournaments,” said Nagababu.

Nagababu comes from the fishing village of Ramannapalem, Machikarlam, where life revolved around the sea. His journey into kabaddi began only in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he started playing in small village tournaments and bet matches.

“With guidance from mentors like his school teacher Pawan Sir, Telugu Titans coach Sai Sir, and Andhra State Secretary Srikanth Sir, I could transform my raw game into a competitive skill set,” he daid.

Nagababu carved a niche for himself with his ankle touches, sharp raids, and kavaru covering skills, he soon earned a place in two Senior Nationals.

But the journey was not that easy as Nagababu lost his father in 2016, after which his elder brother took on the responsibility of the family.
Initially, his brother discouraged him from kabaddi, worried about injuries, but later became his biggest supporter when he saw Nagababu’s potential.

What next? “To play in the Pro Kabaddi League, secure his family’s future, and repay his brother’s sacrifices.

“I dedicated myself to daily practice, constantly improving. Furthermore, with the crucial support and guidance of my coach, I was able to further enhance my practice sessions, all while maintaining the earnest hope that I would ultimately secure the chance to played in Yuva Kabaddi Series”

“Yuva Kabaddi Series is a good platform that encourages youth and takes them to a higher level. I am delighted to have experienced this series, even just by playing a game,” he said.