Image Source: Twitter/Naveen Kumar Goyat
Naveen Kumar Goyat is the youngest player to play in the pro kabaddi league he is a 16-year-old raider who marked his mark in the field of kabaddi so early. Naveen Kumar is a name that has become synonymous with Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) excellence. His meteoric rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable, etching his name in the history books of the sport. Born on February 14, 2000, Naveen made history as the first player born in the 2000s to feature in PKL, while representing Dabang Delhi.
Naveen's kabaddi journey began at an early age, inspired by his grandfather, a former state-level wrestler. His passion for the sport was evident from the start, and he quickly excelled in his school's U-17 team. Naveen's talent didn't go unnoticed, and he swiftly progressed to the junior nationals, reaching the finals in 2016.
The turning point in Naveen's career came with a gold win in junior nationals. His exceptional performance caught the attention of Dabang Delhi, and he was invited to participate in the New Young Player (NYP) trials. At the age of 16, Naveen earned a spot in the team for Pro Kabaddi Season 6, signing a modest deal of ₹6.60 lakhs.
Naveen's true potential shone through in his fourth game, where he secured his first Super 10, finishing the season with an impressive 177 points. His consistent performances quickly established him as a rising star in the PKL.
Season 7 saw Naveen exceed expectations, finishing with 303 points, the third-highest in PKL. His stellar performance catapulted Dabang Delhi to their first-ever PKL final, despite losing to Bengal Warriors.
Undeterred by the absence of PKL action in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Naveen roared back in December 2021, breaking records against U Mumba to become the fastest player to reach 500 raid points in PKL history in just 47 games.
Naveen's achievements didn't stop there; he earned a remarkable record of 28 successive Super 10s, further solidifying his status as one of PKL's most potent raiders. His incredible journey reached its zenith as he played a pivotal role in Dabang Delhi's triumph in Season 8, earning him the Most Valuable Player Award.
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