Dhanalakshmi Poojary Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, Achievements, Social Media and More
Dhanalakshmi Poojary is from Suratkal, Idya, in Mangaluru, Karnataka. She is an all-rounder kabaddi player who represents the only selection from South India in the Indian women’s kabaddi team for the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025. She plays for the Alvass Sports Club in Karnataka and has been actively participating in kabaddi competitions at various levels.
Early Life and Education
Dhanalakshmi Poojary is the daughter of Narayan Poojary and Shashikala. She hails from a family in Suratkal, which is located near Mangaluru in Karnataka. She pursued her education at Alvas Education Foundation, where she completed her undergraduate degree, graduate degree, and postgraduate degree along with diploma courses. Remarkably, she received all her education under the institution’s complete sports adoption education scheme, which provided her education free of cost.
Kabaddi Career
Dhanalakshmi has represented Karnataka state in kabaddi competitions at multiple levels. She has participated in 12 tournaments representing Karnataka, including Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals, and Federation Cup competitions. Her consistent performances at the state and national levels have helped her gain recognition among national selectors.
Playing Style and Specialty
Dhanalakshmi is an all-rounder, meaning she has skills in both raiding and defending. This versatility makes her a valuable asset to the Indian women’s kabaddi team. Her ability to contribute in multiple roles on the kabaddi mat demonstrates her understanding of the game and adaptability to different match situations.
Training and Development
Dhanalakshmi has participated in national training camps four times – in both senior and junior categories. This exposure to elite-level training has helped her develop her skills and prepare for international competition. Currently, she is undergoing her final training camp at the SAI Center in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in preparation for the World Cup.
Historic Achievement
Dhanalakshmi Poojary’s selection for the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is particularly significant as she is the only player from South India selected for this tournament. This makes her a representative not just of Karnataka but of the entire South Indian region in women’s kabaddi. Her selection highlights the growing spread of kabaddi talent across different regions of India beyond the traditional kabaddi strongholds.
Recognition and Support
Her selection has been celebrated in her local community in Mangaluru and Suratkal. The Alvas Education Foundation, which supported her education through its sports adoption scheme, takes pride in her achievement. Her journey shows how educational institutions that support sports can help talented players reach the international stage.
Current Status
Dhanalakshmi Poojary is part of the Indian women’s kabaddi team squad for the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025, which will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 17 to 24, 2025. The team is led by captain Ritu Negi with vice-captain Pushpa Rana. The team is being coached by Tejaswini Bai (Head Coach) and Kavita Selvaraj (Assistant Coach). As an all-rounder, Dhanalakshmi will provide versatility to the Indian squad, contributing both in raiding and defending roles as needed.
Social Media
Dhanalakshmi maintains an Instagram profile @dhanalakshmikabaddi01 where she shares updates about her kabaddi career and training journey.
