Anup Kumar Biography

Personal Profile:

Full Name	Anup Kumar
Nickname	Captain Cool, Bonus Badshah
Date of Birth	20 November 1983
Age	40 years old (As in 2023)
Nationality	Indian
Father’s name	Ransingh Yadav
Coach	Amar Singh Yadav
Weight	75 kgs
Height	5’9 ft.
Position	Raider
Signature Move	Toe-touch
Former Club	U-Mumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers

Teams Played for

Seasons	Teams
Season 1	U-Mumba
Season 2	U-Mumba
Season 3	U-Mumba
Season 4	U-Mumba
Season 5	U-Mumba
Season 6	Jaipur Pink Panthers

Early Life and Family

Anup Kumar, the accomplished athlete, was born on November 20, 1983. Hailing from the village of Palra in Gurgaon district, Anup Kumar spent his formative years in this small rural community. His parents, Ransingh Yadav and Ballo Devi, played integral roles in his upbringing. Anup’s father had served as a Subedar Major in the Indian Army, while his mother devoted herself to being a homemaker. Anup received his education during his schooling years in Palra.

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Following the completion of his school education, Anup Kumar took a significant step in 2005 by joining the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) as a constable. At that point, despite possessing immense talent and potential, Anup had not considered pursuing kabaddi as a career path.

However, everything changed when he crossed paths with Amar Singh Yadav, who happened to be Anup’s coach for the CRPF kabaddi team. Amar Singh Yadav was greatly impressed by Anup’s remarkable athletic abilities, particularly in the game of kabaddi. This encounter sparked a newfound interest and aspiration within Anup Kumar to pursue kabaddi as a serious career option.

Anup Kumar International Career

In 2005, Anup Kumar received a call-up to the India camp, and he expressed his gratitude towards Amar Singh Yadav for granting him numerous opportunities. During the camp, Anup’s exceptional talent became evident to all, as he showcased his innate abilities and skills.

The 2006 South Asian Games held in Sri Lanka marked Anup Kumar’s first significant milestone towards his international career. It was during this event that he made his presence known on the international stage. However, it was his golden debut at the 2010 Asian Games that truly propelled his international career to new heights. Anup’s outstanding performance in the Asian Games set the stage for a successful journey representing India at the highest level of kabaddi.

Anup Kumar proved his mettle by winning gold medals at both the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Asian Games. The 2014 Incheon Asian Games final was a thrilling encounter, particularly against Iran. The match was fiercely contested, with both teams giving their all. However, the Indian team displayed immense resilience and determination, managing to maintain their lead throughout the game. It was a testament to their skill and teamwork that they emerged victorious in a closely fought battle, securing another gold medal for India.

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Anup Kumar’s success story continued as he maintained his golden run with Team India, earning yet another medal at the 2016 South Asian Games. Notably, he had the honor of captaining the team during this period. In a defining moment, Anup led his team to a remarkable victory in the 2016 World Cup, showcasing his exceptional leadership skills and ability to thrive under pressure. His composed demeanour and tactical decision-making earned him the well-deserved nickname of ‘Captain Cool.’

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Anup Kumar Pro Kabaddi League Career

Anup Kumar embarked on his Pro Kabaddi journey with the team U Mumba in Season 1, marking the beginning of his professional career in the league. He remained a loyal member of the U Mumba team for a remarkable five seasons, showcasing his dedication and commitment to the franchise.

Anup Kumar’s exceptional performance in the inaugural season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) set him apart as the highest scorer, accumulating an impressive 169 points. His leadership skills propelled U Mumba to three consecutive finals in Seasons 1, 2, and 3. During Season 2, Anup Kumar captained the team to a championship victory, adding another feather to his cap. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honoured with the Most Valuable Player of PKL award in 2014.

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Despite being a prominent franchise player for U Mumba in the Pro Kabaddi League, Anup Kumar faced an unexpected transfer when he was sold to the Jaipur Pink Panthers. This decision came as a major disappointment to the fans, especially considering Anup had served as the captain of U Mumba since the inception of the league.

However, in Season 6, Anup took on the leadership role for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, who acquired him for a price of Rs 30 lakhs. This transition marked a new chapter in Anup’s career as he embraced the challenge of leading a different team, leaving a lasting impact on the Pro Kabaddi League with his exceptional skills and tactical acumen.

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Anup Kumar Coaching Career

On December 19, 2018, Anup Kumar made the heartfelt decision to retire from professional kabaddi after an illustrious 15-year career in the sport. However, he assured his fans that his departure from the playing field would not sever his connection with the kabaddi world. Soon after his retirement announcement, Anup Kumar transitioned into the role of a coach in the Pro Kabaddi league, taking charge of the Puneri Paltan team. However, in PKL season 9 Anup was not associated with any team.

15 illustrious years, 1 living legend! 🤩

He dominated the game as a player, and now @IamAnupK is set to take on a new role!

Where will @PuneriPaltan finish under him in Season 7? Tell us and tune into Star Sports for LIVE #VivoProKabaddi action, July 19 onwards. pic.twitter.com/5rW6OpvQfn

— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) April 23, 2019

Statistics

Total Matches Played	91
Total Earned Points	596
Most Points in a match	16
Not out percentage	85.14
Total raids	1346
Successful raids %	39.15
No. of super raids	17
Super 10’s	13
Total raid points	527
Average raid per match	5.79
Total tackles	173
Number of super tackles	8
Total tackle points	69
Average tackles per match %	0.67
Tackle strike rate %	39.88

Season Wise Stats:

Raiding:

Season	Team	Matches Played	Total Raids	Successful Raids	Unsuccessful Raids	Raid Touch Points	Raid Bonus Points	Total Raid Points
PKL 1	U-Mumba	16	255	123	46	115	40	155
PKL 2	U-Mumba	14	244	61	35	67	7	74
PKL 3	U-Mumba	13	209	63	25	65	11	76
PKL 4	U-Mumba	14	230	60	29	53	19	72
PKL 5	U-Mumba	21	281	84	44	70	42	112
PKL 6	Jaipur Pink Panthers	13	127	30	21	24	14	38

Tackling:

Season	Team	Matches Played	Total Tackles	Successful Tackles	Total Tackle Points
PKL 1	U-Mumba	16	35	12	14
PKL 2	U-Mumba	14	12	6	7
PKL 3	U-Mumba	13	9	3	3
PKL 4	U-Mumba	14	24	9	10
PKL 5	U-Mumba	21	60	19	23
PKL 6	Jaipur Pink Panthers	13	33	12	12

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Anup Kumar Records and Achievements

Anup Kumar emerged as the highest scorer in the inaugural season, amassing an impressive 169 points.
Anup holds the distinction of being the only player to have captained a team in three consecutive Pro Kabaddi finals, leading his side to the title in Season 2.
He secured two gold medals in the Asian Games, triumphing in 2010 and 2014.
Moreover, he showcased his dominance in the South Asian Games, winning gold medals in 2006, 2010, and 2016.
He was bestowed with the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the inaugural season of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014.
Recognizing his significant contributions to the sport, the Government of India honoured him with the Arjuna Award in 2012.

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Interesting Facts about Anup Kumar

Apart from his contributions to kabaddi, Anup Kumar has been actively fulfilling his duties as a Police Inspector for the Haryana Police Department.
Anup follows a regimen that prioritizes natural, homemade meals over supplements. He incorporates a variety of dry fruits and milk into his diet, recognizing their nutritional benefits.
In his leisure time, Kumar finds solace and enjoyment in embarking on long hikes
Anup Kumar holds a fondness for Amitabh Bachchan, considering the legendary actor as his favourite in the entertainment industry.