PERSONAL INFORMATION
Other name: Vandana Kataria
Profession: Field Hockey Player
Famous for: scoring five goals for team India at the 2013 Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup; India won a bronze medal in the championship
Date of Birth: 15 April 1992 (Wednesday)
Age (as of 2021): 29 Years
Birthplace: Roshnabad, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh (now, Uttarakhand, India)
Zodiac sign: Aries
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Roshnabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Caste: Dalit [3] Hindustan Times
Age: 29 Years
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PHYSICAL STATISTICS
[1]Glasgow 2014Height: in centimeters – 159 cm in meters – 1.59 m in feet & inches – 5’ 2”
[2]Glasgow 2014Weight: in kilograms – 51 kg in pounds – 112 lbs
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Brown
Weight: 5′ 2″
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Husband/Spouse: N/A
Parents: Father – Nahar Singh (worked as a master technician in BHEL, Haridwar; he once used to be a wrestler) Mother – Name Not Known
Siblings: Brother – Chandrashekhar Kataria
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Junior International Debut: Year 2010
OTHER INFORMATION
Playing Position: Forward
Current Club: Railways
Medal(s): • Bronze at Junior World Cup in Mönchengladbach in 2013 (Team) • Bronze at Asian Games in Incheon in 2014 (Team) • Gold at Asia Cup in Gifu in 2014 (Team) • Silver at Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018 (Team) • Bronze at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023
Tattoo: She has got a tattoo inked on her right hand.
Hockey Player(s): Mohammed Shahid, Luciana Aymar
Dessert: Chocolate Ice-cream
Food: Burger, Home-cooked food
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Vandana Katariya, a remarkable Indian field hockey player, hails from humble beginnings in Roshnabad, Haridwar. Growing up in a middle-class family, Vandana’s passion for hockey ignited at a young age, often prompting her to practice her moves using tree branches far away from home. This secret training was a necessity, as her elders disapproved of her pursuit of the sport. However, her father, a former wrestler, provided unwavering support and encouragement, instilling in her the belief that she could succeed in hockey.
Vandana’s journey in international hockey commenced in 2006 when she began her junior career, leading to her senior debut for the Indian national team in 2010. Her skills and determination quickly shone through, particularly during pivotal tournaments. In 2013, she was a key player for the Indian women’s hockey team at the Junior World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, where she emerged as the top scorer, netting five goals in four matches and helping the team clinch a bronze medal. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career and showcased her potential on the global stage.
The years that followed were defined by both personal and professional triumphs for Vandana. In 2014, she was recognized as Hockey India’s Player of the Year, further solidifying her status in the sport. The following year, she excelled in the 2015 FIH Hockey World League, scoring 11 goals to become the tournament’s top scorer and leading her team to victory. Vandana also took on leadership roles, captaining the Indian women’s hockey team during a Test series against Australia in 2016, and that same year, she qualified for the Rio Olympics. Her persistence and skill culminated in her participation in the 2018 Asian Champion Trophy, where she was named Player of the Tournament, contributing to India’s silver medal finish.
As the years progressed, Vandana continued to break barriers in her sport. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, becoming the first Indian woman to score an Olympic hat-trick in hockey, although the event was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This period of her life was bittersweet; just three months before the Olympics, Vandana lost her father. Despite the emotional toll, she remained focused on her training, unable to return home to grieve during this critical time. Reflecting on her career, Vandana has often cited her bronze medal victory in Germany as one of her most cherished moments, recalling the pride and tears in her father’s eyes when he was honored by the media after her success.
On October 31, 2023, Vandana reached a significant milestone by making her 300th international appearance for the Indian National Hockey Team during the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This achievement made her the first player in history to reach such a landmark, a testament to her dedication and enduring legacy in Indian hockey. Vandana Katariya’s journey, marked by resilience, talent, and profound personal sacrifice, continues to inspire not only her teammates but also aspiring athletes across the nation.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
