Deepak Thakur


Deepak Thakur Sonkhla is a hockey forward in Indian team.

Family

Thakur's father is an ex-serviceman and his mother a house-wife. His younger sister is a national badminton player.

Career

Junior level

Thakur became popular after his solo effort, A goal poacher, Deepak Thakur rose from the junior ranks when he scored a hat-trick in the 2001 Junior World Cup final against Australia leading India to the titleard showing 6–1. He finished the tournament with ten goals and was named the 'top scorer of the world cup. Born in hoshiarpur, Punjab. Thakur took up hockey on his father's insistence and was among the most consistent scorers in 2003, when Indian hockey made considerable progress winning four tournaments. Thakur made up for one of the most lethal attack line along with Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh, in a career spanning over eight years. Has played in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics.

Senior level

He debuted for the senior national team in June 1999 against Germany. He was part of national squad in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic.

Awards

He was awarded Arjuna Award in 2004 for taking Indian hockey to next higher level.