Patna Pirates’ Iranian defender Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh has emerged as the best defender in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 having earned 65 tackle points in 16 matches so far.

Shadloui also set the record for the most tackle points in a single game when he racked up 16 points against Dabang Delhi K.C. earlier this month.

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The Iranian defender is playing his second season, expressed that his self-confidence has risen in this edition, “I have always trained hard during on and off-season. I focus more on fitness during the off-season. But I feel more confident this season. My first PKL season was very hard for me. But now, I know how all the raiders play.”

Chiyaneh also confidently said that he will go on to become the best defender ever in PKL,

“I would definitely like to be a part of the gold medal-winning team at the Asian Games next year and also become the best defender in vivo PKL history and I am confident that I will achieve this feat,” he was quoted as saying in a release on Monday.

When asked about how he stumbled upon the sport of kabaddi, the all-rounder said, “I have been playing kabaddi for eleven years. I used to play football before I started playing kabaddi. One of my friends after playing in the Junior Asian Kabaddi Championship came and told me that I should play kabaddi. I didn’t know anything about kabaddi at that time. My friend told me that I have a good physique for kabaddi and then introduced me to the sport.”

Chiyaneh also shared his interests off the mat, “The off-season is a fun time for me, but I ensure I practice every day. I also travel a lot when I am not playing in vivo PKL. I’ve gone to Turkey & Dubai and I travel within Iran as well. I am also a foodie. Irani food is very delicious. My favourite is Ghormeh Sabzi. I also watch movies and listen to music. My favourite Hindi film is PK because I like Aamir Khan.”

The Gujarat Giants will be hoping to end their six-match losing streak, but they will be up against Puneri Paltan, who are in stupendous form. Raider Aslam Inamdar will lead the charge for the Pune side, while the Giants will bank on all-rounder Parteek Dahiya.

The Haryana Steelers will be looking to pick up a few more victories, but U Mumba’s raiders Guman Singh and Ashish will pose a tough challenge to the Steelers.