Vivek Thakur Appointed India Head Coach for Fourth Straight Year Ahead of Asian Junior Cup 2026

Indian judo coach Vivek Thakur has once again been entrusted with leading the country's junior contingent on the international stage after being appointed head coach of the Indian team for the fourth consecutive year. 

The Chandigarh-based coach will guide the national squad at the Asian Junior Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 26 to 31.

The appointment is another significant milestone in Thakur’s coaching career and reflects the confidence the Judo Federation of India has placed in his ability to nurture and develop young talent. The Indian contingent for the competition comprises 18 members, including 16 athletes and two coaches, with five of the selected judokas training directly under Thakur in Chandigarh.

Over the past few years, Vivek Thakur has emerged as one of the most respected coaches in Indian judo. Working with the Chandigarh Sports Council and the UT Sports Department, he has played a key role in shaping the careers of several promising athletes who have gone on to represent India at the international level. 

His latest appointment comes at a time when Indian judo continues to make steady progress on the continental stage. The Asian Junior Cup is considered an important platform for young judokas to gain exposure against high-quality international opposition and prepare for bigger challenges in the future.

Vivek Thakur's association with judo began at a very young age. Born in Manipur and raised in Chandigarh, he was introduced to the sport in 1992 and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent.

His performances earned him admission to one of India’s leading sports institutions. At just 13 years of age, he became a national champion, a feat that marked the beginning of an impressive competitive career. He went on to win national titles seven consecutive times, establishing himself as one of the country’s most promising judokas.

Speaking about his early years, Thakur has often recalled the challenges of moving away from home at a young age. After studying in Chandigarh until Grade 9, he joined the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala in 1999, where he continued both his academic education and sporting development.

His dedication to the sport eventually led him to pursue a Diploma in Sports Coaching (Judo) from NIS Patiala, laying the foundation for a successful coaching career.

While Thakur enjoyed considerable success as an athlete, he believes one of the biggest regrets of his sporting journey was stepping away from competitive judo earlier than he should have.

However, his decision to move into coaching has benefited Indian judo immensely. Since becoming a coach in 2019, Thakur has built an impressive track record of developing athletes capable of competing at the highest levels. Under his guidance, students have won more than 500 national medals and over 30 international medals.

Among his most notable achievements as a coach has been mentoring athletes who have gone on to represent India internationally. One of his star pupils, Ishroop Narang, reached World No. 3 in the junior -78kg category and earned multiple medals at Asian Cups and national competitions.

His athletes have also excelled at the Khelo India Youth Games, helping strengthen India's future talent pipeline.

Thakur's international coaching experience is another reason behind his repeated appointments as national head coach.

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Over the years, he has led Indian teams at numerous international competitions across countries such as the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Taiwan. This exposure has helped him understand the demands of international competition and prepare athletes accordingly.

The upcoming Asian Junior Cup in Tashkent represents another opportunity for Thakur to guide the next generation of Indian judokas on a major continental platform.

The latest appointment has been welcomed by administrators and officials associated with Indian judo. N S Thakur, General Secretary of the Amateur Judo Association Chandigarh, congratulated Vivek Thakur on his achievement and wished him success for the upcoming championship.

Joint Director Sports Dr Mahender Singh also praised the coach, describing him as one of the most hardworking and dedicated members of the Chandigarh Sports Council. According to Dr Singh, Thakur's achievements continue to bring recognition and pride to Chandigarh while inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence.

India will travel to Uzbekistan with a strong contingent and hopes of delivering positive performances at the Asian Junior Cup 2026. For Vivek Thakur, the tournament represents another opportunity to showcase the progress of Indian judo and the effectiveness of the development systems being built across the country.

As head coach for a fourth consecutive year, he carries both responsibility and expectation. With years of experience as a national champion, international coach and mentor to emerging athletes, Thakur remains committed to helping India's young judokas realise their potential on the continental stage.

His journey from a teenage national champion to one of India's leading judo coaches serves as an inspiring example of dedication, resilience and a lifelong commitment to the sport.