Manikandan Nesamani: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Manikandan Nesamani is a rising star in Indian Kabaddi. From a small coastal town in Tamil Nadu to the grand stage of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Manikandan Nesamani’s journey reflects dedication, hard work, and steady progress. This article explores his early life and family, domestic career, PKL journey, achievements, social media presence, and more.
| Category | Details |
| Name | Manikandan Nesamani |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 2004 |
| Birthplace | Thoothukoodi, Tamil Nadu |
| Position | Right Cover Defender |
| Father | S. Nesamani (harbor worker) |
| Mother | Vijayalakshmi (home maker) |
| Sibling | Tamilselvan (elder brother) |
| Education | B.Com final year |
| PKL Team | Haryana Steelers (Season 11, 2024) |
| PKL Debut Season | Season 11 |
| Junior State Champs | Third place |
| Senior State Champs | Third place |
Early Life & Family
Manikandan Nesamani was born on January 8, 2004, in Thoothukoodi, Tamil Nadu. His father, S. Nesamani, works at the Thoothukoodi harbor handling ship operations, while his mother, Vijayalakshmi, looks after the home. Manikandan grew up alongside his elder brother, Tamilselvan, who introduced him to Kabaddi at the age of 12.
Under Tamilselvan’s guidance, Manikandan learned the basics of Kabaddi and developed a passion for defense. His first coach, Rajamani, helped him master frontal blocks and defensive positioning. Manikandan balanced his schooling with rigorous Kabaddi practice from an early age, showing both academic commitment and athletic promise.
Domestic Career
Manikandan’s domestic Kabaddi career began with village tournaments coached by Rajamani. He made his mark by finishing third in both the Junior and Senior State Championships in Tamil Nadu, showcasing his growing skills as a right cover defender. These podium finishes drew attention from scouts and earned him a place with Yuva Paltan in Mumbai, where he trains regularly with other aspiring players.
With Yuva Paltan, Manikandan continued to refine his techniques—especially his frontal block and ankle hold—and gained exposure to a higher level of competition. He credits his club coaches and teammates for pushing him to improve his fitness, agility, and game sense.
PKL Journey
Manikandan Nesamani joined the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 11 (2024) with the Haryana Steelers. He made his debut as a right cover defender, bringing fresh energy to the team’s back line. During Season 11, he appeared in 5 matches, earned 1 total point, achieved a tackle strike rate of 17%, and recorded a raid strike rate of 0%.
Despite limited playing time, Manikandan used each opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the league. His calm presence in the defense circle and ability to read opponent raids suggest strong potential for future PKL seasons.
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Raid Points | Tackle Points | Total Points Earned |
| 2024 (11) | Haryana Steelers | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Achievements
Manikandan Nesamani has built his career step by step through consistent performance and dedication. His main achievements include:
- Third place in Junior State Championship – Tamil Nadu
- Third place in Senior State Championship – Tamil Nadu
- Selection for Haryana Steelers in PKL Season 11 (2024)
- PKL debut as right cover defender in Season 11
- University level performance – represented Karpagam University with strong defensive displays
- Yuva Kabaddi Series participation – played for Nilgiri Knights and showed leadership from defense
Additionally, Manikandan earned the nickname “Mr. Beast” during his university days for his wall-like defensive performances, where he recorded 9 tackle points in a single match. He was also selected for the Velammal YKS TNC 2024 Dream Team as the Best Right Cover, showing his growing reputation in youth kabaddi circles.
His most significant achievement came in PKL Season 11 when Haryana Steelers won their first-ever championship title. Although Manikandan played a supporting role with limited appearances, being part of the championship-winning squad marks an important milestone in his young career.
Social Media
Manikandan Nesamani maintains a growing presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram – @mani__kabaddi__06, where he shares updates about his kabaddi journey and training sessions. He frequently appears in Yuva Kabaddi Series social media content and official PKL posts highlighting young talents.
Conclusion
Manikandan Nesamani’s journey from Thoothukoodi to the Pro Kabaddi League shows how dedication and consistent effort can open doors in professional sports. Starting with basic training under his brother’s guidance and coach Rajamani, he progressed through state championships to university level kabaddi, and finally to the PKL. His debut season with Haryana Steelers in PKL 11 provided valuable experience and the honor of being part of a championship-winning team.
