Savita Punia: The journey of India's veteran hockey goalkeeper

Savita Punia, the veteran Indian hockey goalkeeper, has transitioned from a shy individual to a mentor for young players. Her career has been marked by significant emotional highs and lows on the international stage.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Punia was a key performer, making seven penalty-corner saves in the quarter-finals. However, she experienced heartbreak during the bronze-medal match when a goal went through her legs, leading to a loss against Great Britain. Following a period of professional struggle and a ten-month break from the sport, she returned to the Indian national setup.

Recent competitive experiences have continued to be challenging. During the Round 2 of the Women’s World Cup, India faced a goalless draw against Australia, which resulted in the team being eliminated from medal contention.