Nikita Kumari is an Indian kabaddi player who plays as a left raider. In September 2026 she won the Asian Games gold medal with India's women's kabaddi team at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in her first tournament for the senior national team.
She comes from Hasangarh village in Hisar district, Haryana, where she learned the game at an early age.
Haryana produces many of India's kabaddi players, and young players there often start training in village academies from childhood.
Nikita Kumari Early Life:
Nikita Kumari was born on 15 July 2009 in Hisar, Haryana. Her home is in Hasangarh village.
Her father, Anil, is a farmer, and her mother, Vinod Kumari (also spelt Vinoth Kumari), is a homemaker.
She has a younger brother, Deepanshu, and her family also includes several sisters.
Although no one in her immediate family had played kabaddi before, she took up the sport as a young schoolgirl.
She was inspired to play by Seema, a sister in her family who was already playing kabaddi.
Her coach is Sandeep Jhangra, who also coaches her after school hours.
Under his guidance, Nikita developed her raiding, and her bonus move became a standout feature of her game.
She trains at the SBS Academy in Hasangarh, where she works on her raiding skills.
Her favourite player is Naveen Kumar.
She played at school, district and state level before moving up. She also plays handball for fun.
Nikita Kumari Junior and National Career:
Nikita started doing well in Haryana in 2022. Her breakthrough came at the 2023 Sub-Junior National Championship in Jharkhand, where her raiding helped Haryana win the gold medal. She has called it her best match.
In February 2024, she played for Murthal Magnets in the first JSG Women's Yuva Kabaddi Series at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur. Murthal Magnets won the title with an unbeaten record, and Nikita scored 69 points in the tournament.
In the final, Murthal Magnets beat Himalayan Tahrs 28-21, and Nikita was their top scorer with nine points, including two bonus points. The organisers called her the find of the tournament.
In October 2025, she was part of India's girls' kabaddi team that won gold at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. India beat Iran 75-21 in the final.
Nikita Kumari at the Asian Games 2026:
Nikita was named in India's 12-member women's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad also included Ritu Negi, Pushpa Rana, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Jyoti Thakur, Manisha Kumari and Raj Rani. It was her senior India debut.
The competition was held at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium. India beat Bangladesh 42-21, Iran 37-23 and Japan 50-25 in the group stage, then Nepal 48-24 in the semi-final.
In the group match against Iran, Nikita came on late in the game and scored 10 important points, including two successful super raids.
In the final on 26 September 2026, India beat Iran 37-34 to retain the gold medal. People in Hasangarh celebrated her team's win with her family.
Her story reflects hard work, family support and good coaching, and she is now one of the youngest members of India's women's kabaddi team.
Nikita Kumari – Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikita Kumari |
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Position | Left Raider |
| Date of Birth | 15 July 2009 |
| Place of Birth | Hisar, Haryana |
| Village | Hasangarh, Hisar district |
| Current Team/Representation | India women's kabaddi team |
| Asian Games 2026 | Gold medal (senior India debut) |
| Asian Youth Games 2025 | Gold medal with India's girls' team, Bahrain |
| State | Haryana |
| Father | Anil – Farmer |
| Mother | Vinod Kumari – Homemaker |
| Brother | Deepanshu (younger) |
| Kabaddi Inspiration | Seema, a sister in her family who played kabaddi |
| Coach | Sandeep Jhangra |
| Training Academy | SBS Academy, Hasangarh |
| Standout Skill | Bonus Move |
| Favourite Player | Naveen Kumar |
| Other Sport | Handball |
| Early Competitions | School, district and state-level competitions |
| Breakthrough Competition | 2023 Sub-Junior National Championship, Jharkhand (gold with Haryana) |
| State-Level Progress | Started doing well for Haryana, particularly in 2022 |
| Yuva Kabaddi Series Team | Murthal Magnets (champions, JSG Women's Yuva Kabaddi Series 2024) |
| Yuva Kabaddi Series Points | 69 |
Frequently asked questions
Who is Nikita Kumari?
Nikita Kumari is an Indian kabaddi player from Hasangarh in Hisar district, Haryana, who plays as a left raider. She won the Asian Games gold medal with India's women's team in 2026.
When was Nikita Kumari born?
Nikita Kumari was born on 15 July 2009 in Hisar, Haryana.
Which village is Nikita Kumari from?
She is from Hasangarh village in Hisar district, Haryana, where she also trains at the SBS Academy.
What position does Nikita Kumari play?
Nikita Kumari plays as a left raider. Her bonus move is a standout feature of her game.
Was Nikita Kumari in India's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. She was named in India's 12-member women's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. It was her senior India debut.
Did Nikita Kumari win a medal at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. India beat Iran 37-34 in the final on 26 September 2026 to retain the gold medal, so Nikita is an Asian Games gold medallist.
How did Nikita Kumari play at the 2026 Asian Games?
In the group match against Iran, she came on late in the game and scored 10 important points, including two successful super raids.
Who is Nikita Kumari's coach?
Her coach is Sandeep Jhangra, who helped her develop her raiding and her bonus move.
Who are Nikita Kumari's parents?
Her father, Anil, is a farmer, and her mother, Vinod Kumari, is a homemaker. She has a younger brother, Deepanshu.
What did Nikita Kumari win before the Asian Games?
She helped Haryana win gold at the 2023 Sub-Junior National Championship, won the 2024 Women's Yuva Kabaddi Series with Murthal Magnets, and won gold with India's girls' team at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.
