India • Jul 02, 2025

Kabaddi player succumbs to rabies after puppy bite

Brijesh Solanki, a state-level kabaddi player from Bulandshahr, lost his life to rabies on June 28.
Three months earlier, he was bitten by a puppy while rescuing it but didn't get the rabies vaccine, thinking it wasn't serious.
His health declined quickly—he developed hydrophobia and severe pain before passing away.

TL;DR

Athlete thought pain was just a sports injury

Solanki first felt numbness and weakness during practice, which soon got worse.
He and his family struggled to get him treated, facing rejections at several government hospitals before finally getting a rabies diagnosis at a private hospital in Noida.
His coach shared that Solanki thought the pain was just a sports injury, so he skipped the vaccine.
The community is mourning the loss of this promising young athlete.