Rakesh kumar is an Indian professional Kabaddi player who was born in a Hindu jat family. He was the vice-captain of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 2007 World Cup at Panvel, India. In 2011, in recognition of his achievements in the sport, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Government of India. He was born on 15 April 1982 in the Nizampur village of North West Delhi. During school days, he took up kabaddi. After having played for his scholl team, he represented Delhi at the national level, before making it to the senior national team in 2003. In addition to winning medals at the national level, he was a part of the national team that won gold medals at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010, 2014 South Asian Games in 2006 and 2010, and the Asian Indoor Games in 2007, 2009 and 2013.