Kabaddi

Pooja Kajla Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, Achievements, Social Media and More

Pooja Kajla biography highlights the journey of a professional kabaddi player from Haryana who plays for the Indian Railways women’s…

Pooja Kajla Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, Achievements, Social Media and More

Pooja Kajla biography highlights the journey of a professional kabaddi player from Haryana who plays for the Indian Railways women’s kabaddi team. She is a left-handed raider and wears jersey number 09. Pooja represents one of the finest raiding talents in Indian women’s kabaddi and has made significant contributions to India’s recent international victories.

Early Kabaddi Career

Pooja Kajla started playing kabaddi at a young age in Haryana, one of the premier kabaddi-producing states in India. She developed her skills through years of dedicated practice and participation in various domestic competitions. Her journey from local competitions to the national stage reflects her commitment and talent in the sport.

Playing Style and Specialty

Pooja Kajla is a left-raider, which gives her a unique advantage in attacking. She is known for her raiding abilities and scoring techniques. Her left-handed advantage makes her unpredictable for defenders and difficult to stop during raids. She plays for the Indian Railways team, one of the most prestigious kabaddi organizations in India.

International Achievements

Pooja Kajla was part of the Indian women’s kabaddi team that won the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games held in 2023. She contributed significantly to India’s success during this tournament. One of her most notable performances was scoring 13 points in raids during the Asian Championship, helping her team secure the gold medal. For this outstanding performance, her community honored her with the “Kajla Gaurav” (Kajla Glory) title, a special honor given by the National Kajla Khap.

Asian Championship Success

Pooja was part of the Indian team that won gold at the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship held in Tehran, Iran in 2025. This victory further established her credentials as a key raider in the Indian squad.

Recognition and Community Support

In October 2023, Pooja Kajla was honored by the National Kajla Khap for her contribution to India’s gold medal at the Asian Games. She was felicitated with the “Kajla Gaurav” title, and her community in Solha village, Hissar, Haryana, organized a grand celebration for her achievement. She was received with flower garlands, honor scarves, and certificates of appreciation.

Professional Team

Pooja plays for the Indian Railways women’s kabaddi team, which is known for producing high-caliber athletes. The Indian Railways organization has been instrumental in her development as a professional player, providing her with training, facilities, and opportunities to compete at the highest levels.

Current Status

Pooja Kajla is part of the Indian women’s kabaddi team squad for the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025, which will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 17 to 24, 2025. The team is led by captain Ritu Negi with vice-captain Pushpa Rana. The team is being coached by Tejaswini Bai (Head Coach) and Kavita Selvaraj (Assistant Coach). As a key raider, Pooja will be crucial to India’s attacking strategy in the World Cup.

Personal Life

Pooja is deeply connected to her community and family values. Her achievements have made her a source of pride for her village and the broader Kajla community. She continues to train and work towards excellence in kabaddi while maintaining her roots in Haryana.

Social Media

Pooja maintains an Instagram profile @pooja.kajla.09 with over 21,000 followers, where she shares updates about her kabaddi career, training, and personal moments.

Asian Games 2026:

Pooja Kajla as player did really well in Asian Games 2026 as she scored more than 20+ points in Marquee event.

Pooja Kajla as raider ability to soak up pressure and ability to do well in different junctures of game makes her iconic.

Pooja Kajla have been pretty underrated so far she certainly deserve more chances to showcase her mettle whenever it is needed the most.

Pooja Kajla and Sanju Devi both have complemented each other pretty well from both ends where they scored points on regular basis.

Pooja Kajla, gameplan covering her mental aspect of the game makes it more exceptional.

Pooja Kajla iconic gameplay will certainly flourish adding more innovative skills in their armory to beome more formidable player in future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Pooja Kajla:

Q-1: Who is Pooja Kajla?

Answer: Pooja Kajla is an elite Indian professional kabaddi player who represents the Indian Women’s National Kabaddi Team as a primary raider. Domestically, she plays for the Indian Railways women’s team, one of the premier departmental setups in Indian kabaddi. A left-handed raider wearing jersey number 09, Pooja has established herself as a core member of the national squad, contributing heavily to India’s gold medal triumphs at the Asian Games, Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship, and the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup.

Q-2: Where is Pooja Kajla from?

Answer: Pooja Kajla hails from Solha village, located in the Hisar district of Haryana, India. Haryana is widely celebrated as the heartland of Indian sports, particularly combat disciplines and kabaddi. Growing up in a supportive community that values sports, she started her athletic journey in local village tournaments before progressing to district, state, and national platforms.

Q-3: What is Pooja Kajla’s primary position on the mat?

Answer: Pooja plays as an offensive left-raider. In kabaddi, natural left-handed raiders are relatively rare and present a strategic challenge for opposition defenses. Her left-sided approach alters the defensive angles, forcing opposition right corners and covers to adapt quickly, making her an unpredictable threat during key raids.

Q-4: Which domestic team does Pooja Kajla represent?

Answer: Pooja represents the Indian Railways women’s kabaddi team. Indian Railways is renowned for fostering top-tier athletic talent, providing high-performance training, sports facilities, employment, and tournament exposure. Her inclusion in the Indian Railways squad played a instrumental role in refining her skill set and elevating her to international standards.

Q-5: What are Pooja Kajla’s key technical strengths and playing style?

Answer: Pooja’s playing style is defined by tactical awareness, agility, and mental composure. Her key technical attributes include:

  • Unpredictable Attack Angles: Being a left-raider, she manipulates defensive setups from the left side of the mat.
  • Rapid Footwork & Running Hand Touches: Swift mat movement that enables her to target corner defenders before they can set up a tackle.
  • Tactical Escapes: High body control and quick turns to break free from ankle and thigh holds.
  • Clutch Performance: Exceptional composure during Do-or-Die raids, where points are mandatory to prevent an out.

Q-6: What are Pooja Kajla’s major international career achievements?

Answer: Pooja’s key international achievements include:

  • Asian Games Gold Medalist: Contributed significantly to India winning the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games.
  • 6th Asian Championship Winner: Won gold with the Indian national team at the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship in Tehran, Iran, where she delivered a standout 13-point raid performance.
  • Asian Games 2026 Champion & Top Performer: Cross-scored 20+ points across crucial fixtures, pairing with Sanju Devi to lead India’s offensive unit.
  • National Honor: Conferred with the prestigious “Kajla Gaurav” (Kajla Glory) title by her community for her contributions to Indian sports.

Q-7: How did Pooja Kajla perform at the Asian Championship in Tehran?

Answer: During the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship held in Tehran, Iran, Pooja emerged as one of the standout raiders of the tournament. In a crucial match, she scored 13 raid points, demonstrating her ability to break through rigid international defenses and leading India to secure the gold medal.

Q-8: What was Pooja Kajla’s contribution to the Asian Games 2026?

Answer: At the Asian Games 2026, Pooja performed exceptionally well, accumulating over 20+ raid points throughout the event. Known for soaking up pressure in crunch situations, she worked in tandem with fellow raider Sanju Devi. Their offensive combination allowed India to score regular raid points from both sides of the mat, keeping defensive lines off-balance and contributing to India’s successful run.

Q-9: What is the significance of the “Kajla Gaurav” title given to her?

Answer: Following her gold medal performance at the Asian Games, Pooja was felicitated in October 2023 by the National Kajla Khap in her native Solha village in Hisar, Haryana. The community honored her with the title “Kajla Gaurav” (Kajla Glory), along with ceremonial scarves, flower garlands, and appreciation certificates to recognize her role as a sports icon and community ambassador.

Q-10: Was Pooja Kajla selected for the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025?

Answer: Yes, Pooja Kajla was selected as a primary raider for the Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team at the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Indian squad was captained by Ritu Negi with Pushpa Rana as vice-captain, and guided by Head Coach Tejaswini Bai alongside Assistant Coach Kavita Selvaraj.

Q-11: What makes the raiding combination of Pooja Kajla and Sanju Devi effective?

Answer: Pooja Kajla and Sanju Devi complement each other through their contrasting and adaptable raiding styles. While Pooja operates primarily as a left-handed raider with swift running hand touches and tactical escapes, Sanju Devi offers ambidextrous agility from both sides. This dual-threat setup prevents opposition defenses from settling into a set rhythm, ensuring consistent point scoring across different junctures of a match.

Q-12: Where can fans follow Pooja Kajla on social media?

Answer: Fans can follow Pooja Kajla on her official Instagram handle (@pooja.kajla.09), where she shares updates regarding her training routines, domestic and international match highlights, team moments, and personal updates with over 21,000 followers.

Overall Pooja Kajla, is peaking at right time and she deserve all credit for instilliing her self belief and delivering to the best of their ability.

Aspect / CategoryDetails / Description
Player NamePooja Kajla (also known as Pooja Hathwala)
Jersey Number#09
Hometown / RootsSolha Village, Hisar District, Haryana, India
Primary PositionPrimary Offensive Left-Raider
Domestic / Departmental TeamIndian Railways Women’s Kabaddi Team
Key Technical Strengths & Skillset• Unpredictable attack angles from the left side
• Rapid footwork & swift running hand touches
• High body control for sharp tactical escapes
• Exceptional composure during clutch & Do-or-Die raids
Raiding PartnershipForms a lethal dual-threat attacking pair with Sanju Devi; their complementary left-and-right raiding attacks keep opposition defenses off-balance.
Major International Achievements• Gold Medalist at the 19th Asian Games (2023)
• Gold Medalist at the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship (Tehran, Iran, 2025)
• Key Raider at the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup (Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2025)
• National Honor: Awarded the Arjuna Award (2025) for excellence in sports
Asian Games 2026 HighlightsScored 20+ raid points across marquee events, showcasing mental toughness, high pressure-soaking capability, and adaptable game plans.
Community Honor & FelicitationsConferred with the prestigious “Kajla Gaurav” (Kajla Glory) title by the National Kajla Khap in October 2023.
Social Media PresenceInstagram: @pooja.kajla.09 (21k+ followers)