Mohammadreza Shadloui, fondly known as ‘Showstopper’, is an Iranian all-rounder renowned for his ankle-hold defense, high tackle counts, record auction prices in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), and leadership of Iran’s national team. His journey from a small town in Iran to PKL stardom highlights dedication, adaptability, and international impact across multiple seasons and franchises.

Category	Details
Full Name	Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh
Date of Birth	14 May 2000
Birthplace	Naqadeh, West Azerbaijan province, Iran
Position	All-Rounder (left corner defender)
National Team	Iran
Junior World Gold	2019 Junior World Kabaddi Championship (Iran)
Asian Games	Silver medal (2022, Hangzhou; captain)
PKL Debut	Season 8 (2021–22) with Patna Pirates
PKL Teams	Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan, Haryana Steelers, Gujarat Giants
Most Expensive Buy	INR 2.35 Cr by Puneri Paltan (PKL 10)
PKL Record	Most tackle points in single match (16)
PKL Record	Most super tackles in single match (8)
Instagram Followers	223K+

2. Early Life & Family

Mohammadreza Shadloui was born on 14 May 2000 in Naqadeh, a town in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province. He grew up in a middle-class family without a history in organized sports. From an early age, Shadloui played kabaddi with neighborhood friends. When he was 12, his father, formerly a footballer in the Iranian league, initially hesitated to support kabaddi due to its dangerous and physical nature.

His father was particularly concerned about the amount of contact involved in the game and felt it was too risky for his son. However, after seeing his son’s dedication and talent during practice sessions, his father eventually gave his backing. This support proved crucial as it allowed Mohammadreza Shadloui to enroll in a local kabaddi academy in Orumiyeh.

Initially, Mohammadreza Shadloui was more interested in Iran’s national sports including wrestling and volleyball. However, his sporting destiny was completely altered after one of his friends who he used to play football with introduced him to kabaddi. As a child who had grown up with a passion for contact sports like wrestling, Shadloui was particularly impressed with kabaddi’s minimal rules and restrictions. He was amazed at seeing the types of tackles that were executed in the sport.

At the academy in Orumiyeh, coaches refined Mohammadreza Shadloui’s agility, strength, and signature ankle-hold technique, laying the foundation for his defensive mastery that would later define his professional career. His natural athletic ability, combined with his dedication to training, quickly made him stand out among his peers in local competitions.

3. Domestic Career

Shadloui’s domestic kabaddi career in Iran established the foundation for his international success. His journey through Iran’s kabaddi system included several key milestones:

Local Leagues in West Azerbaijan: Mohammadreza Shadloui consistently stood out in youth and regional tournaments throughout his teenage years. He showcased quick reflexes, strategic anticipation, and an aggressive defensive style that caught the attention of national selectors. His performances in local competitions demonstrated his natural talent for reading raiders’ movements and executing precise tackles.

Iran Junior Squad Development: Mohammadreza’s talent was recognized early, and he was selected for Iran’s junior national team. His performances at the junior level were exceptional, combining technical skill with tactical awareness.The young defender showed remarkable composure under pressure and an ability to perform in crucial moments that would become his trademark.

2019 Junior World Championship Victory: In 2019, Mohammadreza Shadloui played a key role in Iran’s junior team victory at the Junior World Kabaddi Championship. He helped Iran capture the gold medal, scoring multiple high-five tackles and emerging as a defensive leader for his team. This tournament victory marked his first major international success and established him as one of the most promising young talents in world kabaddi.

Senior National Call-Up: His outstanding performances at junior level earned him a place in Iran’s senior squad. The transition from junior to senior level was seamless for Mohammadreza Shadloui, who quickly adapted to the higher intensity and tactical complexity of senior international kabaddi. His selection represented the culmination of years of hard work and development through Iran’s domestic system.

Mohammadreza Shadloui’s domestic foundation emphasized discipline, versatility, and tactical awareness, attracting significant interest from PKL franchises who recognized his potential to adapt to the Indian style of play.

4. PKL Journey

Mohammadreza Shadloui’s Pro Kabaddi League journey spans five seasons across four teams, establishing him as one of the most sought-after foreign players in PKL history. His PKL career highlights demonstrate consistent excellence and continuous improvement:

Season	Team	Auction Price	Tackle Points	Notes
Season 8	Patna Pirates	INR 74.6 Lakhs	89	Best Defender award; reached final; PKL debut
Season 9	Patna Pirates	–	84	Record 16 tackle points & 8 super tackles vs Dabang Delhi
Season 10	Puneri Paltan	INR 2.35 Crore	99	Most expensive overseas buy; led Paltan to maiden title
Season 11	Haryana Steelers	INR 2.07 Crore	82	MVP award; helped Steelers win first title
Season 12	Gujarat Giants	INR 2.23 Crore	—	First player to cross INR 2 Cr for three consecutive seasons

Season 8 – The Breakthrough: Mohammadreza Shadloui made his PKL debut for Patna Pirates and immediately made an impact. He recorded 89 tackle points with 86 successful tackles, earning the Best Defender award. His performances helped drive Patna Pirates to the final, though they fell short of the championship. The Iranian’s debut season showcased his ability to adapt quickly to the PKL format and established him as a defensive cornerstone.

Season 9 – Record-Breaking Performance: Continuing with Patna Pirates, Mohammadreza Shadloui scored 84 tackle points and created history in a match against Dabang Delhi. On November 19, 2022, he scored an astonishing 16 tackle points in a single match, all coming from Super Tackles. This included a record-breaking 8 Super Tackles in one game, both PKL records that still stand today. Despite his heroic individual effort, Patna Pirates lost the match 27-30 to Dabang Delhi. 

Season 10 – Championship Success: Ahead of Season 10, Puneri Paltan set a PKL record by bidding INR 2.35 Crore for Mohammadreza Shadloui, making him the most expensive overseas player in PKL history. He justified the investment by delivering 99 tackle points with 97 successful tackles. Mohammadreza Shadloui won his second Best Defender award and played a crucial role in guiding Puneri Paltan to their first PKL championship. 

Season 11 – MVP Performance: Haryana Steelers acquired Mohammadreza Shadloui for INR 2.07 Crore. He led the league with 82 tackle points across 24 matches and recorded a 54% tackle strike rate. His all-round contributions earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for Season 11, with 139 total points including 57 raid points. Mohammadreza Shadloui played a pivotal role in Haryana Steelers’ maiden PKL title victory.

Season 12 – Continued Market Value: Gujarat Giants acquired Mohammadreza Shadloui for INR 2.23 Crore, making him the first player in PKL history to breach the INR 2 crore mark for three consecutive seasons.

Kabaddi Player Statistics

Statistic	Value
Total No. of Matches	188
No. of Super Tackles	36
High 5s	32
Total Tackle Points	545
Average Successful Tackles/Match	2.7
Total Tackles	944
Tackle Success Rate %	54%

5. Achievements

International Achievements

2019 Junior World Championship Gold Medal: Shadloui was a key member of Iran’s junior team that claimed gold at the Junior World Kabaddi Championship. His defensive performances throughout the tournament established him as one of the most promising young defenders in world kabaddi.

2022 Asian Games Silver Medal: As captain of Iran’s men’s squad, Shadloui led his team to the final of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Iran reached the final after defeating Chinese Taipei 47-24 in the semi-finals. Despite his leadership and defensive excellence, Iran lost a controversial final to India 29-33 after a match that was suspended for over an hour due to disputes over officiating. 

Multiple Asian Championships: Shadloui has represented Iran in multiple Asian Kabaddi Championships, including the 2023 edition where he was part of the squad that won silver. His consistent performances for Iran across different tournaments have established him as one of the country’s most reliable defenders.

PKL Awards & Records

Individual Awards:

• Best Defender Season 8: 89 tackle points with 86 successful tackles in his debut PKL season
• Best Defender Season 10: 99 tackle points with 97 successful tackles, leading Puneri Paltan to their first title
• Most Valuable Player (MVP) Season 11: 139 total points including 82 tackle points and 57 raid points

Record-Breaking Performances:

• Most Tackle Points in Single Match: 16 tackle points against Dabang Delhi in Season 9
• Most Super Tackles in Single Match: 8 super tackles against Dabang Delhi in Season 9
• Most Expensive Overseas Player: INR 2.35 Crore auction price in Season 10
• First Player to Cross INR 2 Crore for Three Consecutive Seasons: Unique achievement spanning Seasons 10-12

Career Milestones:

• Fastest to 300 Tackle Points: Achieved in just 76 matches across four seasons
• Over 354 Career Tackle Points: Ranks 8th all-time in PKL history
• Consistent Strike Rates: Maintained tackle success rates above 50% across multiple seasons

Team Success

Championship Victories:

• PKL Season 10 Champion: Led Puneri Paltan to their maiden PKL title as their star defender
• PKL Season 11 Champion: Played crucial role in Haryana Steelers’ first PKL championship victory

His record of winning championships with different teams showcased his ability to adapt to various playing systems and contribute effectively regardless of team composition.

6. Social Media and More

Instagram Presence: Shadloui maintains an active Instagram account (@officialmrshadlu) with over 223K followers. His social media presence provides fans with insights into his personality beyond kabaddi. He regularly shares training videos, match highlights, and personal moments that showcase his dedication to the sport. His posts often include pre-match routines, fitness tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of PKL life.

Personal Interests: Off the mat, Shadloui enjoys reading Persian romantic novels and listening to American hip-hop, reflecting his well-rounded personality and diverse cultural interests. These hobbies show a softer side to the aggressive defender fans see during matches. His ability to balance intense training with personal relaxation activities demonstrates mental maturity beyond his years.

Conclusion

Mohammadreza Shadloui’s remarkable journey from a small town in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province to becoming one of the Pro Kabaddi League’s most valuable and successful international players represents a story of determination, talent, and adaptability. His evolution from a 12-year-old playing kabaddi with neighborhood friends to a record-breaking professional demonstrates the power of dedication and proper guidance.

Throughout his PKL career spanning five seasons and four different franchises, Mohammadreza Shadloui has consistently justified his value through record-breaking performances, championship victories, and market-setting auction prices. His ability to maintain high performance levels while adapting to different team cultures and playing styles showcases his professionalism and tactical intelligence. As he continues his journey with Gujarat Giants and maintains his role as a key player for Iran’s national team, Shadloui remains one of kabaddi’s most influential international ambassadors.