Raju Bhavsar

Raju Bhavsar is a former Indian kabaddi player.[1] He has played for national kabaddi team and represented in international tournaments for almost eight years.[2]

Raju Bhavsar
Bhavsar with Manmohan Singh
Personal information
Birth nameRaju Bhavsar
Full nameSriram (raju) Dinanath Bhavsar
NationalityIndian
Born (1962-08-30) 30 August 1962
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
OccupationSr.Flight purser at Air india
Years active1976 to 2004
EmployerAir india
Height173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Spouse(s)Veena bhavsar
Sport
CountryIndia
SportKabaddi
PositionAll rounder
TeamSangli District

Maharashtra State

Air India

India
Turned pro1982
Coached byBapu zambre

Career

He played for Mumbai Maharashtra. His playing style was all rounder. He was the captain of the national kabaddi team, which won a historic gold medal in the first ever indoor international kabaddi tournament held at Birmingham, England in 1993.[3][4]

He represented India and won a gold medal for India at the kabaddi Asian championship held at Calcutta in 1987.[5][6]

He was part of the Indian kabaddi team that qualified for the 9th kabaddi Asian games in Beijing, winning gold against Bangladesh in 1990.

He was awarded India's second highest sports honour, Arjuna Award in 1996 by the President of India.[7][8][9]

Currently he is working with Air India in Inflight Services Dept as Cabin Supervisor. He is also a kabaddi expert for leading sports broadcaster 'Star Sports' for Pro Kabaddi League & world Cup 2016.[10][11]

Early days

Raju entered kabaddi at 14, watching his elder brothers Vivek & Hemant playing. He played for a well known kabaddi club of Sangli (Maharashtra) "Jai Mathrubhumi Vyayam Mandal"[12]

From the age of 16 he showed potential and at the age of 19 he was selected in Maharashtra men's team for Senior nationals.

Raju was picked up by a professional team "Vanaz Engineers", Pune. After playing for 4 years he was offered a job by national carrier "Air India" at Mumbai.[13]

Playing style

Having equal command over raiding and defence, Raju Bhavsar was one of the finest all-rounders of his time.[14][15] He was a quick both side raider and solid right center. He is the only player who has played on all 4 defensive positions for Maharashtra men's team in Nationals. He was known as master strategist and tactician.[16][17]

Achievements and awards
  • Highest award for sportspersons in Maharashtra state "ShivChhatrapati Puraskar" - 1986
  • Highest award for sportspersons in India "Arjuna Award"-1996
  • FIE national award for best sportsman of India -1990[18][19][20]

References
  1. Viswanath, G. "Iran prepared for Asian Games gold extensively, says former player Bhavsar". Sportstar. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  2. "PKL changed the scenario, says Bhavsar". The Hindu. 4 July 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  3. "England". EKA. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  4. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  5. 3rd South Asian Federation Games 1987 (Calcutta, India). {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  7. "Raju Bhavsar Kabaddi". Khel Kabaddi. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  8. Viswanath, G. (26 February 2016). "Services players give ProKabaddi new, vibrant look". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  9. "राजू भावसार खेळाडू आयोगाचे प्रमुख". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). 1 April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  10. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  11. Viswanath, G. (26 February 2016). "Services players give ProKabaddi new, vibrant look". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  12. "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  13. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  14. Viswanath, G. "Iran prepared for Asian Games gold extensively, says former player Bhavsar". Sportstar. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  15. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  16. Viswanath, G. "Iran prepared for Asian Games gold extensively, says former player Bhavsar". Sportstar. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  17. "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  18. "Players Profile: Raju Bhavsar". Khel Kabaddi. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  19. Sharma, Vishal (6 July 2020). "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  20. "Pro Kabaddi League has changed the entire scenario of the sport in India, says Raju Bhavsar". in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.

Official website

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