Rani Rampal, Hockey Player
Hockey Player

Rani Rampal

Born 4 December 1994 · Haryana

Youngest player in India's 2010 Women's Hockey World Cup squad at age 15.

Rani Rampal is an Indian field hockey coach and former player who played as a forward. At the age of 15, she was the youngest in the national squad of the 2010 World Cup. In her career, Rampal played 212 international matches and scored 134 goals. She also acted as a striker and doubled up as mid-fielder.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

At age 15, Rani Rampal was the youngest player in the 2010 Women's Hockey World Cup squad and scored seven goals, the highest for India in that tournament.

The Story

1
🌟 In 2009, at just 15, Rani Rampal scored 4 goals in the Champion's Challenge final in Kazan, Russia, earning both Top Goal Scorer and Young Player of the Tournament titles.
2
Born in 1994 in Shahabad Markanda, Haryana, Rani’s father was a cart-puller, and she joined the local hockey academy under coach Baldev Singh at age 7, despite family objections about girls playing sports.
3By 2010, Rani was the youngest player on India's senior national team, participating in the World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, where she scored seven goals, lifting India to its best ranking since 1978.
4🏅 In 2013, she was named Player of the Tournament at the Junior World Cup, leading India to a bronze medal, a rare podium finish for the team.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2020
Padma Shri
—
Arjuna Award
—
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 2009, at the Champion's Challenge in Kazan, Russia, Rani Rampal scored four goals in the final, leading India to victory and winning the Young Player of the Tournament award.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Rani Rampal scoring India's only goal against Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi (2010).
Rani Rampal scoring India's only goal against Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi (2010).
2010

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Shahabad Markanda, Haryana
Rani Rampal was born into a modest family; her father worked as a cart-puller.
1994
📚
Education
Joined Shahabad Hockey Academy
Started formal hockey training under coach Baldev Singh, a Dronacharya Awardee.
2003
⚡
Career
Champion's Challenge win in Russia
Scored 4 goals in final, won Top Scorer and Young Player awards.
2009
⚡
Career
Youngest in World Cup squad
At 15, played in the 2010 Women’s Hockey World Cup in Rosario, scoring 7 goals.
2010
⚡
Career
Player of Tournament at Junior World Cup
Led India to bronze medal finish.
2013
🏅
Award
Received Arjuna Award
Honoured by the Government of India for sporting excellence.
2016
🏅
Award
Padma Shri Award
Recognized by the Government of India for contribution to hockey.
2020
⚡
Career
Led India to Tokyo Olympics semifinal
Historic semifinal appearance in women's hockey after decades.
2021
⚡
Career
Returned to hockey after injury
Made a comeback after hamstring injury sidelined her post-Tokyo Olympics.
2023
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Rani started playing hockey at age 7 in Shahabad Markanda, Haryana, despite strong opposition from her relatives who feared social stigma against girls wearing sports attire.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

At the 2010 Women’s Hockey World Cup in Argentina, Rani scored seven goals, helping India achieve its best world ranking since 1978, finishing ninth overall.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Rani suffered a hamstring injury that kept her off the field for almost two years until her comeback in 2023.

“

"People listen to me, talk to me because of hockey. So I just want to work for hockey in any capacity, you can play, mentor young kids, you can teach. Nobody can snatch my passion for hockey."

— Rani Rampal

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Rani Rampal's Inspiring Journey To The Top
·YouTube
More from this archive
Rani Rampal's Inspiring Journey To The Top
01
Rani Rampal's Inspiring Journey To The Top
YouTube
Rani Rampal Speaks On Women's Day | MediBuddy #YourHealthBuddy
02
Rani Rampal Speaks On Women's Day | MediBuddy #YourHealthBuddy
YouTube
Indian Women's Hockey Team Captain Rani Rampal Speaks About Challenges & Struggles | Tokyo Olympics
03
Indian Women's Hockey Team Captain Rani Rampal Speaks About Challenges & Struggles | Tokyo Olympics
YouTube
Indian Hockey Player Rani Rampal Success Story | Life Struggle Of Rani Rampal | Olympics | YOYO TV
04
Indian Hockey Player Rani Rampal Success Story | Life Struggle Of Rani Rampal | Olympics | YOYO TV
YouTube
Rakul Preet Singh, Shilpa Rao, Vineeta Singh & Rani Rampal On Women Empowerment |News18 Rising India
05
Rakul Preet Singh, Shilpa Rao, Vineeta Singh & Rani Rampal On Women Empowerment |News18 Rising India
YouTube
Hockey player RANI RAMPAL life story in tamil | @WingsofVictory
06
Hockey player RANI RAMPAL life story in tamil | @WingsofVictory
YouTube
Indian Women's Hockey Team Captain Rani Rampal Success Story | Rani Rampal Inspiring Story
07
Indian Women's Hockey Team Captain Rani Rampal Success Story | Rani Rampal Inspiring Story
YouTube
Women's Era: Rakul Preet Singh, Vineeta Singh, Rani Rampal, And Shilpa Rao At News18's Rising India
08
Women's Era: Rakul Preet Singh, Vineeta Singh, Rani Rampal, And Shilpa Rao At News18's Rising India
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Rani Rampal transformed perceptions of women in sports in Haryana, helping break social taboos against girls playing hockey. Her leadership at the Tokyo Olympics led India to its first-ever women's hockey semifinal, inspiring increased government support and grassroots programs. Post-retirement, she contributes as a coach, shaping future talent in the India U-17 girls' hockey team.

💬 Social Buzz

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