In the heart of Poland, where sports like football and volleyball reign supreme, a new hero has emerged from an unexpected corner—Damian Łuc, a name that’s steadily carving its place in the dynamic world of kabaddi. Born on April 15, 1995, in the vibrant city of Kraków, Damian’s journey from a curious youngster to a celebrated kabaddi all-rounder is nothing short of inspiring. With his electrifying presence on the mat, he’s not just a player—he’s a trailblazer, bringing Poland closer to the global kabaddi stage.
Early Life: A Spark Ignites
Damian grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Kraków, a city known for its rich history and cultural depth. As a child, he was restless, always chasing after a ball or sprinting through the cobblestone streets with friends. His parents, Marek and Anna Łuc, were supportive but puzzled by his boundless energy. Marek, a mechanic, and Anna, a schoolteacher, encouraged him to try traditional sports like basketball and handball, hoping to channel his vigor. But Damian’s path took a sharp turn when he stumbled upon kabaddi at the age of 16.
It was a chance encounter during a school sports festival in 2011. A visiting coach from India, part of a cultural exchange program, introduced the game to students. The raw intensity, the blend of strategy and physicality—it gripped Damian instantly. “I’d never seen anything like it,” he later recalled in an interview. “It wasn’t just about strength; it was about outsmarting your opponent. I was hooked.” That day, a spark ignited, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Rise in Poland: From Novice to National Star
Kabaddi was virtually unknown in Poland at the time, but Damian didn’t let that stop him. He sought out local enthusiasts, many of whom were inspired by the sport’s growing presence in India and its Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Training facilities were scarce, so Damian improvised—practicing tackles on makeshift mats in community gyms and studying videos of top players like Pardeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari. His dedication paid off when he joined the fledgling Polish Kabaddi Association in 2013, just as the sport began gaining traction in Europe.
By 2015, Damian had become a standout player in Poland’s amateur kabaddi circles. His agility as a raider and his tenacity as a defender made him a rare all-rounder. At 6 feet tall with a lean, muscular build, he combined speed with precision, earning him the nickname “Kraków’s Cobra” for his lightning-fast strikes. That year, he represented Poland at the European Kabaddi Championships in London, where the team finished a respectable fourth. Damian’s performance—scoring 38 raid points and executing 12 successful tackles—caught the eye of scouts and marked his arrival on the international scene.
International Breakthrough: The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup
The turning point came in 2016 when Damian earned a spot on the Polish national team for the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad, India. Facing giants like India, Iran, and South Korea, Poland was the underdog, but Damian thrived under pressure. In a stunning upset, Poland defeated Iran—the reigning world champions—in a group-stage match. Damian was instrumental, contributing 15 raid points and holding the defense together with critical ankle holds. “We didn’t just play to compete; we played to win,” he said post-match, his eyes gleaming with pride.
Though Poland didn’t advance beyond the group stage, finishing fourth in their pool, Damian’s fearless spirit and versatility earned him global recognition. His stats from the tournament—52 raid points and 19 tackle points across five matches—solidified his reputation as a rising star. Fans in India, the heartland of kabaddi, began chanting his name, a testament to his growing influence.
Pro Kabaddi League Dreams and Challenges
Damian’s World Cup performance opened doors to the Pro Kabaddi League, the sport’s premier competition. In 2017, he was picked up by the Bengaluru Bulls during the Season 5 auction, becoming one of the few European players to grace the PKL mat. Playing alongside legends like Rohit Kumar, Damian adapted quickly to the fast-paced, high-stakes environment. His debut season saw him score 68 raid points and 25 tackle points in 14 matches, proving he could hold his own against the best.
However, the journey wasn’t without hurdles. Visa delays and injuries plagued his PKL stint, limiting his playing time in subsequent seasons. A knee sprain in 2018 forced him to sit out half of Season 6, a setback that tested his resilience. “It was tough,” Damian admitted. “But every tackle, every raid I couldn’t make—it only made me hungrier.” He returned in 2019 with the Gujarat Giants, showcasing his signature “running hand touch” and earning a cult following for his gritty comebacks.
Personal Life: The Man Behind the Mat
Off the mat, Damian is a grounded soul with a passion for giving back. He married his high school sweetheart, Katarzyna, in 2020, and the couple welcomed their son, Jakub, in 2022. Family keeps him anchored, he says, especially during the grueling travel schedules of international tournaments. In his downtime, Damian enjoys hiking in the Tatra Mountains and experimenting with Polish-Indian fusion recipes—his pierogi stuffed with spicy paneer is a hit among teammates.
Damian also runs a youth kabaddi clinic in Kraków, mentoring the next generation of Polish players. “Kabaddi gave me everything,” he often tells his students. “I want every kid here to feel that rush, that pride.” His efforts have helped Poland’s national team climb the ranks, with a historic gold at the 2019 European Championships under his vice-captaincy.
Legacy and Future: A Kabaddi Crusader
As of March 22, 2025, Damian Łuc stands at the peak of his career at 29 years old. With over 300 career raid points and 150 tackle points across international and PKL matches, he’s Poland’s most decorated kabaddi athlete. His all-round brilliance has inspired a wave of interest in the sport back home, with Poland set to host its first-ever Kabaddi Championship later this year—a milestone Damian calls “a dream come true.”
Looking ahead, Damian aims to lead Poland to a podium finish at the 2026 Kabaddi World Cup and secure a permanent spot in the PKL elite. His story is one of grit, adaptability, and an unyielding love for a sport that transcends borders. From the streets of Kraków to the mats of Ahmedabad, Damian Łuc isn’t just playing kabaddi—he’s rewriting its global narrative, one raid at a time.
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Ronil Patni, Gabriel Ledniowski , Paweł Śpiczko , Edward Sucharda , Anton Chmielow , Bartosz Sujata , Damian Łuc , Krzysztof Sawicki , Arek Górski , Grzegorz Franków , Gabriel Łaskowski , , Dawid Więckowski