Savita Punia - A Lifestory
India's Hockey Queen: A Pillar of Strength on the Field, The Great Wall of Glory
Savita Punia, born on July 11, 1990, in Jodhkan village, Haryana, has emerged as a legendary figure in Indian women’s hockey, celebrated as "The Great Wall of India" for her exceptional goalkeeping. Inspired by her grandfather and encouraged by family, she joined the SAI center in Hisar, where her natural talent as a goalkeeper became evident. Despite early struggles with limited resources, she persevered, making a breakthrough in 2009 by joining the junior national team and eventually the senior team. Known for her quick reflexes and fearless saves, Punia was instrumental in India's gold-winning performance against China in the 2016–17 Asian Champions Trophy and shone at both the 2018 Asian Games and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where India reached the semifinals. Her calm leadership and remarkable resilience earned her the Arjuna Award, making her a role model and symbol of strength for Indian women in sports.
