But perhaps the bigger disconnect for many lies in his chosen profession – after all, not many Malaysians are known for their career as a professional rugby player.

Dinesvaran plays for the Yamaha Jubilo team, which is part of Japanese rugby’s Top League. He is only the second Malaysian after Marc Le to ever play in a professional rugby league abroad.

In fact, it was Le who introduced Dinesvaran to his agent in Japan, cementing the young man’s path in international rugby.

Although Dinesvaran had played for the Under-20 national team and spent seven years as part of the Combined Old Boys Rugby Association, it wasn’t until the agent showed his performance to several clubs in Japan that he caught the attention of Yamaha Jubilo.

That was in 2012. The rest, as they say, is history.

In 2015, Dinesvaran was there when Yamaha Jubilo was named “Team of the Season”, making it all the way to the finals at Japan’s Top League.

That same year, Yamaha Jubilo won the All Japan Rugby Football Championship after a 54-year draught.

But despite his success in the international arena, Dinesvaran has never forgotten Malaysia.

“For every rugby player or athlete, it doesn’t matter how far you’ve gone in international clubs. It’s always a different pride when you come home and play for the national team,” he told entertainment site Rojak Daily.

“For me, playing for the national team is like serving my country because it is my call and duty for Malaysia.”

Dinesvaran, whose 198cm height literally causes him to stand out in crowds, said his family was initially not keen on him joining Yamaha Jubilo.

His parents, especially, told him to get a “proper job” instead of continuing to “play around like kids”.

However, they eventually came around and it was with their blessings that he departed for Japan, the Rojak Daily report said.

Despite initially struggling with homesickness and the difficulties of adjusting to new cultures, both on the field and off, Dinesvaran has persevered until today.

He will be turning 30 in May, and plans to retire in three or four years’ time.

But until then, he is determined to give the game his all.

“Growing up and surrounding myself with positive people who constantly pushed me to try harder drives me to keep going, so I try to do the best I can every time I’m out in the field,” he was quoted as saying.