Fazel Atrachali (Persian: فاضل اتراچالی) is a distinguished Iranian kabaddi player. He presently serves as the captain of Puneri Paltan in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League and leads the Iran National Kabaddi team. Fazel Atrachali has cemented his place as one of the most successful international players in the Pro Kabaddi League’s history and plays as Defender and Left Corner. He is the only foreign player to feature among the top 10 tackle point scorers in the league’s history. His impressive performance in the 4th edition of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi league earned him the coveted Best Defender of the Season award. He is also the league’s highest-paid foreign player. Furthermore, Atrachali’s leadership skills have proven successful, making him the most triumphant captain in the history of PKL.
Wiki/Biography
Fazel Atrachali, also known as Sultan Fazel, was born on Sunday, 29 March 1992 (31 years old; as of 2023), in Gorgan, Iran. His zodiac sign is Aries. From an early age, Fazel Atrachali displayed an athletic inclination. At the tender age of 11, he began his sporting journey as a wrestler in his hometown, Gorgan. However, a change in location curtailed his wrestling endeavors. During his high school years, Fazel developed a fascination with football, but his natural instincts eventually led him toward the sport of Kabaddi, which came to define his professional career. He further honed his skills under the mentorship of coach Gholamreza Mazandarani.
My mother had tears of joy when I first came on TV.”
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 1″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 46″, Waist: 32″, Biceps: 17″
Family
Fazel was born into a Muslim family in Iran.
Parents & Siblings
The names of Fazel Atrachali’s parents are not publicly known. He has never spoken about them in interviews or on social media.
Wife & Children
Fazel Atrachali is married to Eliye Hoseyn.
In 2018, Fazel Atrachali and his wife, Eliye Hoseyn, were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Selena Atrachali, into their lives. They later had their second daughter, Selin Atrachali.
Career
Position: Left Defender
League: Pro Kabbadi League
Debut: Asian Games (2010)
Coached By: Gholamreza Mazandarani
Teams Played For: U Mumba (2015–2016), (2018–2021), Patna Pirates (2016), Gujarat Fortunegiants (2017), Puneri Paltan (2022–present)
International
Fazel Atrachali was an integral part of the Iranian World Cup team that reached the final, only to be defeated by India. Additionally, he captained the team that clinched the Gold Medal at the Asian Games, further solidifying his prominent role in the sport.
Pro Kabaddi League
Season 2
In Season 2 of VIVO Pro Kabaddi, Atrachali made his debut in a match against Dabang Delhi which U Mumba won 29-25 in Hyderabad. During this game, he managed to score two tackle points. In his subsequent match, Atrachali achieved a season-high score of seven points, aiding his team in a 39-34 victory over Puneri Paltan. Over the course of the five matches he played in Season 2, Atrachali accumulated a total of 12 points.
Season 3
In Season 3 of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League, Atrachali emerged as a crucial player for U Mumba. Featuring 11 matches, he impressively amassed 32 tackle points and one raid point. With a successful tackle rate of 50%, Atrachali stood out as U Mumba’s second-highest-scoring defender of the season, underscoring his value to the team.
Season 4
In Season 4 of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League, Atrachali transitioned to the Patna Pirates, where he emerged as one of the league’s premier defenders. Over the course of the season, he topped the charts with 52 tackle points in 16 matches, securing four High 5s and seven Super Tackles. His stellar performance was instrumental in the Patna Pirates clinching the VIVO Pro Kabaddi title. In recognition of his defensive prowess, Atrachali was also conferred with the Best Defender Award for the season.
Season 5
In Season 5, Atrachali joined the newly established franchise, Gujarat Fortunegiants, where he continued to shine. During this season, he accumulated 57 tackle points, including five High 5s and three Super Tackles, demonstrating a tackle strike rate of 57.57 across 24 matches. Under his leadership, the Fortunegiants made it to the finals, but they ultimately fell to the Patna Pirates. Despite the loss, Atrachali’s remarkable performance throughout the season further solidified his reputation as an exceptional defender.
Season 6
For Season 6, U Mumba re-acquired Atrachali during the player auction and appointed him as the team captain. Demonstrating exceptional consistency, Atrachali participated in all 23 matches for U Mumba, accumulating 83 tackle points, which included six High 5s and three Super Tackles. In the competition for the Best Defender title, Atrachali finished third, trailing behind Nitesh Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal. His strong performance this season further affirmed his vital role in the team and his standing as one of the league’s leading defenders.
Season 7
Atrachali was retained by U Mumba for PKL 7, where he again led the team, this time to the semifinals, but they were ultimately defeated by the Bengal Warriors. Despite the loss, Atrachali had a commendable season, securing the title of Best Defender with a total of 82 tackle points. His standout performance of the season was against the Haryana Steelers, where he scored an impressive eight tackle points.
Income
- Pro Kabaddi Season 9: Puneri Paltan 138 Lakh, SOLD
- Pro Kabaddi Season 8: U Mumba 121 Lakh, RETAINED
- Pro Kabaddi Season 7: U Mumba 110 Lakh, RETAINED
- Pro Kabaddi Season 6: U Mumba 100 Lakh, SOLD
- Pro Kabaddi Season 5: Gujarat Fortunegiants 55 Lakh, SOLD
- Pro Kabaddi Season 4: Patna Pirates 38 Lakh, SOLD
Net Worth
Fazel has a net worth of 10-15 Crores.
Awards
- VIVO Pro Kabaddi: Best Defender (2016) – Season 4 (2019) – Season 7
- VIVO Pro Kabaddi: Champion (2015) – Season 2 (2016) – Season 4
- Asian Games: Silver medalist (2010, 2014)
- 2016 Kabaddi World Cup: Silver medal (2016)
- Asian Games: Gold medalist (2018)
Medals
Throughout the years, Fazel has won multiple medals for his excellent talent and skills in the sport.
Controversy
Dabang Delhi vs U Mumba Match
The match between Dabang Delhi and U Mumba at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi was marked by several high points and controversies. The key moments included the stunning High 5 from Captain Joginder Narwal and the consistently performing Ravinder Pahal. The standout performance of the match, however, came from Naveen, who scored eight consecutive Super 10s, leading Dabang Delhi to a resounding 40-24 victory over U Mumba.
The match wasn’t devoid of controversies, though. Critics questioned U Mumba’s strategic decision to send in defenders rather than raiders during the game. The most contentious moment occurred during a raid by Naveen, which U Mumba’s Fazel Atrachali brought into question during a post-match press conference.
Fazel gave the statement saying,
TV Umpires Make a Lot of Mistakes”
Car Collection
Favorites
- Hobby: Travelling
Facts/Trivia
- Renowned kabaddi player, Pawan Sehrawat, holds Fazel Atrachali in high regard. He is a dedicated fan of Atrachali and deeply admires his playing style, often expressing his delight in watching Atrachali’s impressive performances.
- Fazel Atrachali shares a prestigious record in the Pro Kabaddi League with fellow defender Manjit Chillar. They are the sole defenders in the history of the league who have won the esteemed “Defender of the Season” award twice. This distinction sets them apart, demonstrating their defensive prowess and consistency over multiple seasons. Their contributions to the sport, and to their respective teams, have not only left an indelible mark on the Pro Kabaddi League but also served as an inspiration for many aspiring kabaddi players, attesting to their incredible skill and determination. Their sustained success over multiple seasons is a testament to their resilience, talent, and unwavering dedication to the sport of kabaddi.
- During the 4th edition of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League, Fazel Atrachali displayed an exceptional level of skill and strategic acumen on the kabaddi mat. His powerful performance and incredible defensive tactics throughout the season set him apart from his competitors. As a result of his remarkable contributions to his team’s successes and his outstanding personal performances, he was honored with the prestigious “Best Defender of the Season” award. This award stands as a testament to his mastery of the game and his unparalleled defensive capabilities. It is an accolade that marks a high point in his Pro Kabaddi League career and underscores his status as one of the league’s top defenders.
- Accumulating a staggering total of 424 tackle points in the Pro Kabaddi League, Fazel Atrachali has distinguished himself as the leading scorer in this category. His exceptional ability to score tackle points consistently underscores his defensive prowess and places him at the pinnacle of the league’s defensive performers.
- Beginning from the second season, Iranian captain Fazel Atrachali was signed by U Mumba for Rs 4 lakhs. Despite limited opportunities due to U Mumba’s outstanding performance, Fazel seized every chance he got, especially after the team secured a spot in the playoffs.
- He has a passion for traveling and loves to visit all sorts of places.
- After one of his matches, he and his team got a chance to meet Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. He was absolutely thrilled to meet him and get a picture to capture the beautiful memory.
- Fazel Atrachali made history in the Pro Kabaddi League as the first foreign player to surpass the milestone of 300 tackle points.
- Fazel Atrachali is a strong advocate for a healthy lifestyle, dedicating a significant amount of his time to physical fitness. Regular gym workouts and swimming sessions form an integral part of his routine, reflecting his commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.
- Fazel Atrachali is not just known for his kabaddi prowess but also for his distinctive tattoos. He has a significant affinity for body art, as evidenced by the two prominent tattoos he sports on his chest.
- Fazel Atrachali had the distinguished opportunity to be a guest on a Formula One program, hosted by the accomplished Seyyed Ali Zia. This appearance showcased a different facet of Atrachali, allowing fans to gain further insight into his life beyond the kabaddi arena.