Sanjeev Baliyan Biography
The story of Sanjeev Baliyan, a Kabaddi player-turned-coach, is mesmerizing and inspiring for young players. What started in a small town led to international championships reflecting sheer determination, leadership, and impressive skill. For his excellence, Sanjeev was awarded the highest sporting honor – the Arjuna Award. Get an overview of the sportsman’s life and Kabaddi career before unveiling his biography in more detail:
| Full Name | Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan |
| Birthplace | Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Height | 5’9” (175 cm) |
| Weight | 75-80 kg |
| Awards | Arjuna Award |
| National Achievements as a Player | Gold medals with Indian railways in 1998 and 2001; 8 consecutive “Best Player” awards in local championships |
Education
Sanjeev Baliyan’s Kabaddi star was born in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and attended a local school. Here, he first became interested in cricket. And yet, his coach quickly spotted his talent in Kabaddi and suggested switching to that particular sport. Soon, Sanjeev led his school team to victories, earning a good reputation at both the District and State levels.
Sports Career of Sanjeev Baliyan
Sanjeev Baliyan’s Kabaddi biography primarily focuses on his professional career, both as a player and a coach. After shifting from cricket to kabaddi and bringing his team to a leading level at the state level, Samjeev was already accepted as a rising talent by the 1990s. He joined the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in 1993 to play on a higher level.
However, after three years, Sanjeev shifted to the India Railways, where he first served as a ticket inspector (he still performed well in local Kabaddi competitions), and later represented the team in the Senior National Championships. From 1998 to 2001, he won multiple medals and awards. Furthermore, he was acknowledged as the Best Player of the year for eight consecutive years.
The entrance to the international was in 1998 with the Asian Games held in Bangkok. Two years later, he was appointed vice-captain of the Indian team for the 2000 Asian Kabaddi Championship. Here started his golden years. See the victories for the further years:
- Gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games;
- Gold in the Fajar International Sports & Culture Tournament, the Malaysian Open;
- Gold medal in the 2004 South Asian Federation Games;
- Sanjeev captained the Indian team to victory in the 2004 Kabaddi World Cup.
Stats and Raid Points
In the 2004 Kabaddi World Cup final, Sanjeev Baliyan scored 17 raid points, which marked his peak performance as a Kabaddi player. However, in the 1990s and 2000s, professional leagues in Kabaddi emerged; consequently, there were no central databases to record players’ raid points.
Transitioning to Coach
After retiring as a Kabaddi player, Sanjeev Baliyan’s Kabaddi coaching career started. First, he led the Indian Railway Coach team to victories at two consecutive Senior National Championships (66th and 67th). Later, he guided the Patna Pirates team to the Season 3 championships, took the U Mumba to the playoffs in Season 7, coached the Jaipur Pink Panthers for three seasons (with a victory in Season 9), and coached the Tamil Thalaivas. He is currently the team’s head coach.
Why Is Sanjeev Baliyan Not Playing Today?
Kabaddi is among those sports that demand physical strength, as players constantly face injuries, tackles, and intense training. Therefore, by the mid-30s, Sanjeev, when he had already given a whole decade to professional Kabaddi, decided to retire to avoid the risk of dangerous injuries (this would affect his performance as well). His decision coincided with his golden career moment. His last performance brought him a victory and the title of the Man of the Tournament. The transition to Sanjeev Baliyan’s Kabaddi coach title was smooth and just in time.