Jyoti Thakur is an Indian kabaddi player from Solan district in Himachal Pradesh who plays as a right corner defender. She has won two Asian Games gold medals with India, at the Hangzhou 2022 edition and at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
On the technical side, she is known for the ankle hold and the thigh hold.
She is one of several women kabaddi players from Himachal Pradesh who have reached the Indian team. Many of them trained at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Dharamshala.
Here are the details of her early life, domestic career, national team journey and social media:
Early Life:
Jyoti Thakur was born on 11 April 1997 in Jakher village in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. The village is in the Dangheel gram panchayat of the Kandaghat subdivision.
Her ancestral village is Kuthan in Himachal Pradesh.
Her father, Suresh Thakur, is a former kabaddi player and her mother, Anita Thakur, is a homemaker.
She has three siblings: one brother and two sisters. Her sisters, Archana Thakur and Kavitha Thakur, also play kabaddi.
She became interested in kabaddi as a child after watching her elder sister play the game.
Her talent was first noticed by her physical education teachers, Mohan Lal and Rajesh Kumar.
She went on to play kabaddi at school, college, district, state and national level.
She was part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, which were held in 2023. India beat Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final.
Domestic Career:
Jyoti Thakur learned the game in the villages of Himachal Pradesh and worked her way up to the top level.
Her biggest results have come since 2023, with Asian Games gold medals at Hangzhou and at Aichi-Nagoya.
She trained at the SAI centre in Dharamshala. Her training in Patiala also played a big part in her development.
Her favourite kabaddi players are Ajay Thakur and Vijay Malik.
She enjoys playing volleyball in her free time and has also been selected in the sport at state level.
She trains regularly and often shares training pictures on social media.
National Games Career:
Jyoti first made her name in the All India State University tournaments, where she won the "Best Defender" award several times.
In the Yuva Kabaddi Series she played for the Himalayan Tahrs and was named best defender once. She was noted for her double thigh hold and hand touch.
She was a member of the Himachal Pradesh team in one of the editions in which the state won National Games gold.
The Himachal Pradesh state government has honoured her for her contribution to kabaddi. In October 2023, after the Hangzhou gold, she was felicitated at her home village of Jakher.
Jyoti Thakur Wins Second Asian Games Gold (2026):
Jyoti Thakur was named in India's 12-member women's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad also included Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi, Bhavna Thakur, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran and Pinki Roy.
The kabaddi events were held at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium. India won every match:
- Group match: India 42-21 Bangladesh (21 September 2026)
- Group match: India 37-23 Iran (23 September 2026)
- Group match: India 50-25 Japan (24 September 2026)
- Semi-final: India 48-24 Nepal
- Final: India 37-34 Iran (26 September 2026)
India, captained by Pushpa Rana, beat Iran 37-34 in the final to retain the title. It was India's fourth Asian Games gold in women's kabaddi and Jyoti's second.
After the win, Jyoti credited SAI Dharamshala, the kabaddi federation and the support staff for the facilities and chances they gave her.
On 5 October 2026, Jyoti Thakur, Pushpa Rana and Bhavna Thakur met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla. The state government raised their cash reward to at least ₹1 crore each, up from about ₹33 lakh. The government also said the players would be offered jobs in the state police or the sports department.
Jyoti Thakur Social Media Profile:
Instagram: @jyoti.thakur_12
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jyoti Thakur, the kabaddi player?
Jyoti Thakur is an Indian kabaddi player from Solan district in Himachal Pradesh who plays as a right corner defender. She has won two Asian Games gold medals with India.
How many Asian Games gold medals has Jyoti Thakur won?
She has won two. The first came at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, held in 2023, and the second at Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.
Who did India beat in the 2026 Asian Games women's kabaddi final?
India beat Iran 37-34 in the final on 26 September 2026. The team was captained by Pushpa Rana.
What reward did Jyoti Thakur get after the 2026 Asian Games?
The Himachal Pradesh government raised her cash reward to at least ₹1 crore, up from about ₹33 lakh. Pushpa Rana and Bhavna Thakur were given the same reward.
When was Jyoti Thakur born?
Jyoti Thakur was born on 11 April 1997.
Which village is Jyoti Thakur from?
She is from Jakher village in Solan district, in the Kandaghat subdivision of Himachal Pradesh. Her ancestral village is Kuthan.
What position does Jyoti Thakur play?
She plays as a right corner defender. She is known for the ankle hold and the thigh hold.
Who are Jyoti Thakur's parents?
Her father, Suresh Thakur, is a former kabaddi player and her mother, Anita Thakur, is a homemaker.
Where did Jyoti Thakur train?
She trained at the Sports Authority of India centre in Dharamshala. She credited SAI Dharamshala for her Asian Games success in 2026.
Has Jyoti Thakur won a Best Defender award?
Yes. She won the Best Defender award several times in All India State University tournaments and was named best defender once in the Yuva Kabaddi Series.
