Deepak Niwas Hooda, an Indian professional kabaddi player and politician, gained prominence as the captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Deepak Niwas Hooda was born on Friday, June 10, 1994 (age 29 years old; as of 2023), in the village of Chamaria in Rohtak district, Haryana. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He completed his education at TFV Global School. When he was in 12th grade, Deepak made the decision to leave school and took up a part-time teaching role at the same institution. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, he dedicated himself to kabaddi, traveling to a neighboring village for practice, a commitment that significantly contributed to his skills. Then, he pursued his college education where he also participated in the All India University tournament, winning the gold medal.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 42”; Waist: 32”; Biceps: 14”
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Ram Niwas was a farmer while his mother was a housewife. Both his parents died when he was just a child.
A childhood picture of Deepak Niwas Hooda with his parents
He also has an elder sister who is married.
A picture of Deepak Hooda and his sister
Wife & Children
The kabaddi player married boxer Saweety Boora on Thursday, 7 July 2022.
A picture of Deepak Niwas Hooda and his wife
Religion/Religious Views
Deepak follows Hinduism.
A picture of Deepak Niwas Hooda praying in a temple
Career
Kabaddi
National Performance
Deepak played an important role in the Haryana team’s win at the Senior National level tournament in Patna in 2014, where they secured the gold medal. Additionally, he contributed to the success of the Rajasthan state kabaddi team, helping them win a bronze medal at the 67th Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
Pro Kabaddi League Journey
In the Pro Kabaddi League, Deepak’s journey has been notable. He was acquired by the Telugu Titans in 2014 for Rs 12.6 lakhs, making him the second-highest bid recipient of that season. During this stint, he showcased his raiding skills with an impressive 72 successful raids out of 148, amassing a total of 89 points across 14 matches. In 2016, he moved from the Telugu Titans to the Puneri Paltan for the third and fourth seasons and was even nominated as captain of the Puneri Paltan during the fifth season.
Deepak in the jersey of Puneri Paltan
Season 6 saw Deepak’s move to the Jaipur Pink Panthers for a significant sum of Rs 1.15 crore. Continuing with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the subsequent season, he made 55 successful raids out of 155, gathering a total of 77 points across 12 matches.
Deepak playing for the Jaipur Pink Panthers team
Afterward, he participated in season 9 with the Bengal Warriors.
Deepak Niwas Hooda playing for the Bengal Warriors
International Achievements
In 2016, Deepak achieved remarkable success on the international stage too. He won a gold medal at the South Asian Games held in Guwahati and made a significant contribution to the Kabaddi World Cup victory that same year.
Deepak holding the Indian flag after winning the South Asian Games 2016
In 2017 he secured yet another gold medal at the Asian Kabaddi Championship. The following year, in 2018, he earned a bronze medal at the Asian Games and added another gold medal to his collection at the Dubai Kabaddi Masters. Stepping up as the team’s captain for the 2019 South Asian Games, Deepak led the squad to their second consecutive gold medal victory, marking his second personal triumph at the tournament and his first as captain.
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Politics
Deepak joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with Saweety Boora on 12 February 2024.
Deepak Niwas Hooda and Saweety Boora after joining BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Rohtak, Haryana
Awards, Honours, Achievements
Awards
Arjuna Award – 2020
A picture of Deepak Niwas Hooda with his Arjuna Award
Achievements
Best Raider Award (PKl) – Season 6 (2018).
Medals
- 2016 Kabaddi World Cup Ahmedabad – Gold
Deepak with Kapil Dev after winning the Kabaddi World Cup 2016
- 2018 Asian Games Jakarta – Bronze
- Asian Kabaddi Championship 2017 Gorgan – Gold
- 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Master Dubai – Gold
Deepak Niwas Hooda holding the trophy
- South Asian Games 2016 Guwahati – Gold
- South Asian Games 2019 Kathmandu – Gold
Tattoo
Wife’s Portrait
Deepak Niwas Hooda’s tattoo on his arm
He has a portrait of his wife on his arms.
Car Collection
Deepak has a Ford Endeavour.
Salary
As of 2022, Deepak Niwas Hooda has a salary of INR 43 Lakh.
Favourites
- Beverage: Milk
- Actress: Deepika Padukone
- Cricket Player: M.S. Dhoni
- Movies: MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Bhag Milkha Bhag
Facts/Trivia
- Deepak lost his mother when he was just 4 years old. While his father took care of him and his sister, he passed away too when Deepak was in 12th grade. This made him quit his education to become the primary breadwinner. He joined the same institute that he was studying in as a teacher.
- Due to his experience with teaching during his youth, Deepak revealed that if he was not a kabaddi player, he would have been a teacher.
- During the inaugural season auction of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014, Deepak Hooda gained significant attention, earning the second-highest bid. The Telugu Titans bought him for ₹12.6 lakhs.
- He is known for his strongest movement in kabaddi which is the Running Hand Touch move where there is a rapid and unexpected movement, as the player moves ahead to touch the defender’s hand before reaching the safe line.
- In 2018, along with his teammates Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal, Deepak came on the covers of Sports Illustrated India magazine.
Deepak on the covers of Sports Illustrated magazine
- Deepak’s spouse, Saweety Boora, won a gold medal at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championship.
Deepak’s wife after winning the gold medal
- Deepak has opened a shop related to nutrition and supplements called DNH Nutrition in his hometown Rohtak.
Deepak Hooda during the inauguration of his shop
- Besides his sports career, Deepak Hooda has become an ambassador for various brands, including My 11 Circle, Revital, Flite, Rummy Culture, GNC, and MPL.
Deepak Hooda advertising for a supplement brand
- Deepak made an appearance in the sports documentary series titled ‘Son of the Soil’. The series talks about the journey of Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan and his team, the Jaipur Pink Panthers, with Deepak Hooda as a prominent figure.
Deepak Niwas Hooda showing the sports movie on Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Deepak has a love and passion for serving street animals. He also uses his social media platform to encourage his followers to do the same. Moreover, he even has a pet dog named Panther.
Deepak Hooda with his pet dog
Deepak Niwas Hooda feeding the cows
- In an interview, the kabaddi player revealed that he prefers waking up early in the morning instead of sleeping in late to work out.
A picture of Deepak Hooda in the gym
- When Deepak is free, he likes to play cricket with his friends and teammates. Cricket is another sport that Deepak likes to follow besides kabaddi. Additionally, he also likes to ride horses and swim.
Deepak Niwas Hooda in a pool
Deepak Niwas Hooda riding on a horse
Deepak playing cricket
