In the heart of America’s diverse sports culture, where basketball, football, and baseball reign supreme, one man dared to carve a unique path—Harmanpreet Brar, the USA’s Kabaddi sensation. Born on July 15, 1992, in Fresno, California, to Punjabi immigrant parents, Harmanpreet’s journey is a testament to grit, passion, and the unyielding spirit of a warrior. From the dusty fields of his family’s farm to the electrifying arenas of professional Kabaddi, his rise is nothing short of inspirational.
Early Life: Roots in Resilience
Harmanpreet grew up in a tight-knit Sikh family, the eldest of three siblings. His father, Jaswinder Brar, a farmer who migrated from Punjab in the late 1980s, and his mother, Kuldeep Kaur, a homemaker with a fierce love for traditional Punjabi sports, instilled in him a deep connection to his heritage. Kabaddi wasn’t just a game in their household—it was a legacy. Jaswinder often regaled young Harmanpreet with tales of his own days as a village Kabaddi player in Punjab, sparking a fire in the boy’s heart.
As a child, Harmanpreet was a bundle of energy, often seen wrestling with his cousins or racing through the sprawling fields of Fresno. It was during a family gathering at age 10 that he first tried his hand at Kabaddi. Under the watchful eyes of his uncles, he raided the opposing team with a fearlessness that belied his small frame. That day, a star was born—though it would take years of sweat and sacrifice to shine.
Discovering Kabaddi in America
Growing up in the USA, Harmanpreet faced a unique challenge: Kabaddi wasn’t mainstream. While his peers idolized LeBron James or Tom Brady, he dreamed of mastering the “cant” (the rhythmic chant Kabaddi players use) and perfecting his raids. At 14, he joined a local Punjabi youth club in California’s Central Valley, where the South Asian diaspora kept Kabaddi alive. Under the mentorship of Coach Amrik Singh, a former Punjab Kabaddi player turned community leader, Harmanpreet honed his skills—his speed, agility, and uncanny ability to read opponents setting him apart.
High school was a balancing act. At Fresno High, he excelled in track and field, using his athleticism to build stamina for Kabaddi. Yet, he faced skepticism from classmates who didn’t understand the sport. “They’d ask, ‘What’s Kabaddi? Is it like wrestling?’” Harmanpreet recalls with a laugh. “I’d just smile and say, ‘Come watch me play—you’ll see.’” And see they did. By his senior year, he was organizing small Kabaddi exhibitions, drawing curious onlookers and planting the seeds of the sport’s growth in America.
The Turning Point: College and Commitment
In 2010, Harmanpreet enrolled at California State University, Fresno, majoring in kinesiology—a choice driven by his desire to understand the science behind athletic performance. College wasn’t just about academics; it was where he met Vikram Dhillon, a fellow Punjabi-American with a shared passion for Kabaddi. Together, they formed the Fresno State Kabaddi Club, a grassroots effort that competed in regional tournaments across California and beyond.
It was during a 2012 tournament in Surrey, Canada—a hotspot for North American Kabaddi—that Harmanpreet caught the eye of scouts. His explosive raids, marked by lightning-fast toe-touches and daring escapes, earned him the nickname “The Fresno Falcon.” At 20, he was invited to train with the California Golden Raiders, one of the USA’s first semi-professional Kabaddi teams. This marked his leap from amateur to aspiring pro.
Rising Through the Ranks
Harmanpreet’s professional debut came in 2014 at the North American Kabaddi League (NAKL), a fledgling circuit aiming to elevate the sport in the USA and Canada. Playing for the Golden Raiders, he stunned audiences with his versatility—raiding with ferocity and defending with tenacity. His signature move, a blend of a swift dubki (ducking maneuver) and a powerful kick-out, became a highlight reel staple. That season, he led his team to a runner-up finish, earning the “Best Raider” award with 87 raid points in 12 matches.
Off the mat, Harmanpreet was a tireless advocate for Kabaddi’s growth. He collaborated with NAKL organizers to host clinics in schools and universities, introducing the sport to diverse communities. “I wanted kids—American kids, not just Punjabi kids—to see Kabaddi as their game too,” he says. His charisma and dedication made him a fan favorite, bridging cultural gaps with every match.
Breakthrough and National Pride
By 2018, Harmanpreet had become the face of American Kabaddi. His big break came when he was selected to represent the USA at the Kabaddi World Cup (Circle Style) in Punjab, India. Competing against powerhouses like India, Iran, and Pakistan, he led the USA team to a surprising quarterfinal finish—a historic milestone for a nation new to the sport. His 112 raid points in the tournament ranked him among the top performers, earning him global recognition.
Back home, Harmanpreet’s success fueled the sport’s rise. In 2020, he signed with the newly formed American Kabaddi League (AKL), captaining the Los Angeles Thunderbolts. Under his leadership, the team clinched the inaugural title in 2021, with Harmanpreet named MVP after scoring 135 raid points and 28 tackle points across 15 matches. His dynamic play—blending raw power with strategic brilliance—drew comparisons to legends like India’s Anup Kumar.
Recent Achievements and Legacy
As of March 2025, Harmanpreet remains at the peak of his game. In the 2024 AKL season, he shattered records with 150 raid points, guiding the Thunderbolts to back-to-back championships. Off the field, he launched the Harmanpreet Brar Kabaddi Academy in Fresno, training the next generation of American players. His YouTube channel, featuring tutorials and match breakdowns, has amassed over 200,000 subscribers, amplifying Kabaddi’s reach.
At 32, Harmanpreet shows no signs of slowing down. Rumors swirl of a potential stint in India’s Pro Kabaddi League, a dream he’s long harbored. “Playing in India would be like coming full circle,” he says. “But my mission is bigger—to make Kabaddi a household name in the USA.”
Personal Life: The Man Behind the Mat
Away from the spotlight, Harmanpreet is a family man. He married his college sweetheart, Simran Kaur, in 2019, and they welcomed their son, Arjun, in 2022. A fitness enthusiast, he’s often seen jogging through Fresno’s parks or lifting weights at his home gym. His favorite downtime activity? Cooking traditional Punjabi dishes like sarson ka saag with his mom’s recipe.
Harmanpreet’s journey is a celebration of identity, perseverance, and the power of sport to unite. From a curious kid in California to a trailblazing Kabaddi icon, he’s rewriting the narrative of what’s possible—not just for himself, but for an entire nation discovering the thrill of Kabaddi.