Deep Grace Ekka Biography: Achievements, Personal Life, Family, Unknown Facts & Social Media

Deep Grace Ekka Biography

Coming from a remote village, Lulkidihi-Bahamnibahal of Sundargarh district’s Balisankra, Deep Grace Ekka is a two-time Olympian and one of the best female hockey players India has ever produced.

Name	Deep Grace Ekka
Nickname	Deep
Profession	Hockey
Birthplace	Odisha, India
Date of Birth	3rd June 1994
Age	27 years
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Christian
Fathers Name	Charles Ekka
Mothers Name	Jayamani Ekka
Category	Defender
Marital Status	Unmarried
Height	5 ft 2 Inch
Weight	63 kg
Siblings	3 brothers and 1 sister

Deep Grace Ekka Early Life:

Deep Grace Ekka is an Indian female hockey player who was born on 3rd June 1994 at Lulkidihi-Bahamnibahal, Sundargarh, Odisha, India.

Deep Grace Ekka was born in tribal farmers’ family being an Indian hockey player was never an option for Deep Grace Ekka as she never touch a hockey stick until she was 12 years old.

Grace, started playing for her school at the age of 12. But soon things started falling into place when a relative of Deep Grace Ekka, Tej Kumar Xess saw her playing hockey and started training her and taught her the basics of hockey.

In 2016, Tej Kumar Xess noticed her under the sports talent hunt scheme of the Odisha state government and made her join the Sundargarh Sports Hostel and later moved into SAI Centre of Sundargarh.

From 2007 to 2010, Deep Grace Ekka stayed away from home and started training with determination and hard work. In SAI Centre Sundargarh, Grace started training under SAI coaches Lucila Ekka and PK Sarangi as she started making a huge change in her game as she also become the part of hostel team.

With her amazing performances in local tournaments and making SAI win a couple of tournaments, Deep Grace Ekka was called up for the national camp of India. Deep Grace Ekka played her first state-level competition at just the age of 13.

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Although there were times when Deep Grace Ekka was about to give up the sports when she used to play, Deep Grace was denounced by her neighbors and the village also demoralize her as a girl playing hockey is not suitable for her society but the sheer will power of young girl never lost hope and dedication towards her passion made her where she is now as a player.

In 2011, Deep Grace Ekka also got a chance to play for National Games in Ranchi where she made some remarkable performances which got her selection in Junior National Camp for the Junior Asia Cup in Bangkok.

Deep Grace Ekka’s first coach, Tej Kumar Xess stated “I picked her on her physical abilities, not hockey skills. I am delighted she has reached this far,” said a proud Xess, her first coach who shaped her formative years in hockey.

Deep Grace Ekka Professional Life:

In 2011, Deep Grace Ekka made her first senior international debut at Under-18 Asia Cup held in Bangkok. In her first tournament, India won the Bronze medal and was promoted to the senior team in the same year.

Deep Grace Ekka tasted her first major victory where she played an important part in the Indian junior team’s historic achievement of winning the nation’s first bronze medal in the 2013 FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup held in Monchengladbach, Germany.

Deep Grace Ekka has over 150 international caps to her name she also featured in two Commonwealth Games including Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 and 2018 Gold Coast, Australia.

Deep Grace has two played two Asian Games. 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta and two Olympics as well. the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2021 Tokyo Olympics where she was a vice-captain of the team and the team finished 4th in the tournament.

In the 2014 Asian Games, the Indian women’s hockey team won the bronze medal and Silver medal in the 2018 Asian Games.

The Indian women’s hockey vice-captain is currently employed with Western Railway (Mumbai).

Deep Grace Ekka Commonwealth Games 2022:

Deep Grace Ekka has been the part of Commonwealth Games edition. In her first edition of the Commonwealth games 2014, Glasgow, Scotland the Indian women’s hockey finished 5th position.

In her second edition, 2018, Gold Coast, Australia. Deep Grace and co-finished at the 4th position.

In the Upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games, Deep Grace Ekka will be the vice-captain of the Indian women’s hockey team starting on 28th July 2022 held in Birmingham, England.

The Indian hockey fans have high hopes for the women’s hockey team to win a medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

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Deep Grace Ekka Family:

Indian women’s Hockey players were born into tribal farmers’ families. Her father’s name is Charles Ekka and he works as a farmer in Odhisha her mother’s name is Jaimani Ekka who is a homemaker.

Deep Grace Ekka has 3 brothers and 1 sister. Deep Grace Ekka is the youngest among all the siblings.

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A post shared by Deep Grace Ekka (@ekkadeepgrace)

Deep Grace Ekka Records and Achievements:

Deep Grace Ekka won the bronze medal in the 2011 U-18 Girls Asia Cup Hockey Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand.

In 2013, India women’s hockey team vice-captain created history by claiming the bronze medal for the very first time in the women’s Junior Hockey World cup held in Monchengladbach, Germany

Deep Grace Ekka won the bronze medal in the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup in 2013.

Indian hockey player, Deep Grace Ekka won the silver medal in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2013.

In the 17th Asian Games, the Indian women’s hockey team won the bronze medal in Incheon (South Korea).

In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women’s team created history by finishing fourth in the event. The best ever finish by the Indian women’s hockey team.

Indian Women’s Hockey player won the Sportswoman of the Year accolade in the team sports category at the second Sportstar Aces Awards in 2019.

Deep Grace Ekka won the Biju Patnaik Award.

Deep Grace Ekka Controversy: NA

Deep Grace Ekka Unknown Facts:

Deep Grace Ekka’s international debut in the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina in 2011 in which also made India win the Bronze medal.

Deep Grace Ekka is Odisha’s first female sportsperson to have taken part in two Olympics.

Deep Grace Ekka overall has 228 international caps and has scored 16 international goals.

Indian Women’s Hockey player won the Sportswoman of the Year accolade in the team sports category at the second Sportstar Aces Awards in 2019.

Deep Grace Ekka won the Biju Patnaik Award.

Deep Grace Ekka earned her 100th International Cap on her 22nd birthday at the four-nation women’s tournament held in Australia.

Deep Grace Ekka Social Media:

Deep Grace Ekka Twitter:

Deep Grace Ekka Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekkadeepgrace/

Deep Grace Ekka Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deep.g.ekka

Deep Grace Ekka Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Grace_Ekka