MEET CAPTAIN COOL OF KHO KHO - Mr. PRATIK WAIKAR

Pratik Kiran Waikar is a prominent Kho Kho player from Maharashtra, known for his exceptional performance and leadership in the sport. He began playing Kho Kho at the age of 9, inspired by its popularity in his school. His career took off when he played in the U-14 state team in 2003, and he eventually captained Maharashtra at various levels.

Waikar’s achievements in Kho Kho are impressive. He has won 10 medals at the Senior National Championships (3-gold ,7 silver ), six golds in the Federation Cup National, a gold in the Junior National, and two bronze medals in the Sub-Junior National. Notably, he is the only player from Maharashtra to have led his team in all three age groups (U-14, U-18, and Senior). He has also represented India internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games.

In addition to his sports career, Waikar has an academic background with a B.Sc. and an MBA in Finance. Despite facing financial challenges early in his career, he remained dedicated to both his studies and sports. Waikar’s perseverance has earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious Eklavya Award , Shivchhatrapti Sports Award and the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Award.

He currently plays as an all-rounder for Telugu Yoddhas in the Ultimate Kho Kho league, continuing to make significant contributions to the sport. Pratik Waikar has been a standout player in both seasons of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK). In Season 1, he captained the Telugu Yoddhas and made significant contributions as an all-rounder. He scored 55 points in attack and had an impressive total defending time of 20:13 minutes in 12 matches (In Top 3 defenders), showing his versatility on the mat.

In Season 2, Waikar took his performance to another level, being named the Attacker of the Tournament. He registered 68 points as a Wazir, leading his team to the playoffs. His strategic leadership and attacking prowess were crucial in the Telugu Yoddhas’ success.