Bhubaneswar, Jan 27: Indian women’s hockey team defender and penalty corner specialist Deep Grace Ekka on Saturday announced her international retirement, ending an illustrious career during which she represented India in two Olympic Games.

“It is with immense gratitude and humility that I officially announce my retirement from International Hockey today. The journey from 2011 to 2023 has been the highlight of my life, and I am deeply honoured to have represented India at the pinnacle of the sport,” Ekka said on Instagram.

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Ekka, who hails from Lulkidihi village in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, made her international debut in 2011 during the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina. Since then, she has been an integral part of the national team.

The 29-year-old tribal girl was instrumental in India qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was a vital cog in the team’s defence line at the Tokyo Games where India finished fourth.

Ekka was also a member of the Indian team that won bronze in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. She also represented the Indian teams that won medals in the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games. She was also a member of the title-winning Indian teams in 2016 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and 2017 Asia Cup.

In May 2023, Ekka completed 250 International Caps.

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