Champa Thakur

In the heart of the JSG Women's Yuva Kabaddi Series 2024, representing the formidable Himalayan Tahrs, emerges Champa Thakur, a spirited athlete born on November 4, 2004, in Bagheigarh, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Champa, currently honing her skills at SAI Dharamshala, comes from a family deeply rooted in sports, with her father, Sri Ramesh Kumar, serving as a wrestling coach in local tournaments, and her mother, Narodevi, excelling as a tailoring teacher. Champa's tryst with kabaddi began in 2015, driven by a passion for sports and a keen interest in the game. Initially juggling between wrestling and kabaddi, Champa ultimately chose the latter, inspired by her father's support and her inherent fascination with the sport. A Left Corner Defender with an exceptional blocking technique, Champa has been guided by a cadre of coaches, starting with her father and progressing through the expertise of Kuldeep Rajput, Thakur Das Verma, Vipin Rajput, Meher Singh Verma, and Ranjana. Her current coaches, Pankaj Kumar and Satvir Kaur, continue to shape her formidable presence on the kabaddi mat at SAI Dharamshala. Champa's favorite player is none other than Pushpa Rana, a fellow teammate from the Himalayan Tahrs. Admiring Pushpa's dedication, hard work, and versatile skills in raiding and defending, Champa draws inspiration from her senior colleague. Beyond kabaddi, Champa has a penchant for wrestling, with her younger brother, Sumit Thakur, clinching a National Gold in the sport. In academics, she is pursuing her college degree in BA. Champa's illustrious journey has seen representations at the school, college, district, state, and national levels, with a notable performance at the Junior National in 2024 in Hyderabad. In this tournament, representing SAI, she exhibited her prowess with a memorable Hi-5 against Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. Looking ahead, Champa aspires to don the national colors and play for India, exemplifying the spirit of a determined athlete with a vision to leave an indelible mark in the world of kabaddi.