The objectives of the present study were to estimate the handgrip strength of 129 purposively selected Indian junior kabaddi players (67 males and 62 females) aged 12-18 years and to search its correlations with selected anthropometric variables studied. An adequate number of controls were also taken for comparisons. To serve these purposes, dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength and eight anthropometric variables, viz. height, weight, body mass index, upper arm length, forearm length, total arm length, upper arm circumference and humerus biepicondylar diameter were measured on all the subjects. One way analysis of variance showed significant between group differences (p <= 0.001) in all the variables studied between the kabaddi players and controls. Significant correlations (p <= 0.001) of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength were found with all the anthropometric variables studied both in male and female players. In conclusion it may be stated that handgrip strength can be used as a strong determining factor in the success in the game of kabaddi.