๐ Pratik Waikar: The Unstoppable Kho Kho World Cup Captain 2025
๐ Pratik Waikar The Unstoppable Kho Kho World Cup Captain 2025
Discover the inspiring journey of Pratik Waikar, India’s Kho Kho sensation, as he rises to captain the Indian team at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025. His dedication, achievements, and future prospects shape an extraordinary story of passion and perseverance.
Pratik Waikar โ Complete Profile & Career Overview
๐ Player Profile
| Section | Details |
| Full Name | Pratik Kiran Waikar |
| Date of Birth | 27 March 1992 |
| Birthplace | Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian ๐ฎ๐ณ |
| Sport | Kho Kho |
| Playing Role | Wazir / All-Rounder |
| Current Teams | India Menโs National Kho Kho Team Telugu Yoddhas (Ultimate Kho Kho League) |
| Education | B.Sc. (Computer Science), MBA (Finance) |
| Profession | Senior Technician โ Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), Pune |
๐ง Early Life & Kho Kho Journey
| Aspect | Details |
| Started Playing | At the age of 8โ9 years |
| First Major Representation | Maharashtra Under-13 National Championship (2003) |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Family Background | Comes from a humble middle-class family in Pune |
Pratikโs journey began on local grounds in Pune, where his speed, reflexes, and tactical awareness quickly made him stand out. His dedication from grassroots competitions to professional leagues reflects remarkable discipline and passion.
๐ Professional Achievements
| Category | Major Achievements |
| National Level | 3 Gold & 9 Silver medals (Senior Nationals) Gold โ Junior Nationals 2 Bronze โ Sub-Junior Nationals Best Player โ Federation Cup (3 Times) |
| International Debut | Represented India in 2016 |
| South Asian Games | Gold Medal โ 2016 |
| World Cup 2025 | Captain โ Led India to victory in the Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 |
| Ultimate Kho Kho League | Star Wazir for Telugu Yoddhas; Led team to Final |
| Federation Cup National | ๐ฅ 4 Gold Medals |
| Senior National Appearances | ๐ Played 12 Senior National Championships representing Maharashtra (All-time record) |
๐ Awards & Honors
| Award | Year |
| Ekalavya Award (Maharashtra) | 2019 |
| Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Award | 2021 |
| Award Name | Year |
| Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award | 2019 |
| Best Player of the Tournament โ Kho Kho World Cup | 2025 |
โก Playing Style & Strengths
| Skill Area | Description |
| Speed & Agility | Exceptional acceleration and quick directional changes |
| Tactical Intelligence | Strong game-reading ability as Wazir |
| Leadership | Calm, composed captaincy under pressure |
| Fitness Level | Elite endurance and flexibility |
As a Wazir, Pratik combines sharp reflexes with strategic thinking, making him one of the most dependable all-rounders in modern Kho Kho.
๐ Personal Interests
| Category | Details |
| Sporting Idols | Lionel Messi, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli |
| Hobbies | Reading, Music, Playing Dhol during Ganeshotsav |
| Personality | Disciplined, Humble, Team-Oriented Leader |
๐ Career Summary
Pratik Waikar stands among the elite figures of Indian Kho Kho. Rising from Maharashtraโs grassroots tournaments to captaining India on the global stage, his journey reflects dedication, resilience, and leadership excellence.
From national dominance to international glory, and from state awards to World Cup triumph, he represents the modern face of professional Kho Kho in India.
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