Hockey Player Beauty Dungdung’s Comeback Is a Tribute to the Father Who Believed First

At just 22, Beauty Dungdung is much more than a forward in the Indian women’s hockey team. Currently training at the national camp in Bengaluru, she stands at a crucial point in her career — preparing for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad — after surviving the most difficult phase of her life.

Her story is not merely about athletic performance. It is about carrying a family through tragedy, returning from a career-threatening injury, and rediscovering belief when everything seemed to fall apart.

Growing up in a small village in Jharkhand, Beauty’s hockey journey began in the humblest way possible. When she was just five years old, her father carved her first hockey stick out of bamboo because the family could not afford a real one. He later travelled to other states as a daily wage labourer to support her sporting ambitions.

Her father was her foundation — emotionally and financially. Losing him changed everything.

How did injury and personal loss test her resilience?

In 2023, Beauty suffered a severe knee injury that forced her into a long rehabilitation phase. The comeback was anything but straightforward.

"It took me about two years to make a comeback," Beauty told Hockey India, recalling the frustrating stretch of recovery.

For months, she remained stuck in rehab, uncertain whether she would ever wear the India jersey again. But as she battled physical pain, an even greater emotional blow struck.

"My father passed away during my injury period. I was going back and forth between home and the camp, and so much was happening at once," she shared. "There were times when I really doubted if a comeback would even happen."

The injury had already shaken her confidence. Her father’s death left her emotionally adrift. The man who had sacrificed everything for her dream was suddenly gone.

"When Papa was here, I had a lot of support," Beauty said quietly. "Now, I have to do everything myself."

The sentence captures the transition in her life — from being supported to becoming the supporter.

What responsibilities does she carry beyond hockey?

Today, Beauty is the primary pillar of her family. Employed with Indian Oil, she shoulders the financial responsibility of her household. She supports her brother’s family, funds the education of her niece and nephews, and cares for her mother.

Her mother’s condition adds another layer of emotional strain. She is partially paralysed and struggling with memory loss.

"It gets stressful sometimes because Mummy is partially paralysed, and her memory is fading. She forgets things easily," Beauty admits. "I explain things to her again and again, but she still asks me, 'When will you come home?' My mind naturally goes to her when I am away."

Balancing elite sport and caregiving is no easy task. The emotional pull from home constantly competes with the intensity of international competition. Yet Beauty has found her own coping mechanism.

"If I think too much, I will be the one in trouble, so I put all my focus into the game. It feels good to be able to help my family financially. I just try to manage it from both sides," she explained.

Her teammates have become her emotional anchor.

"I have friends in the team, so I share my feelings with them. Even before a match, if I am feeling low, I tell them honestly that my mood isn't great today, so please motivate me. The team really helps."

On the field, she has slowly regained rhythm, featuring in the Asian Champions Trophy and the recent Hero Hockey India League. Known for her pace and receiving skills, she is now focused on rebuilding confidence inside the striking circle as she prepares for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Every time she steps onto the turf, it is no longer just about the game. It is about fulfilling her father’s sacrifices, securing her family’s future, and giving her mother comfort.

Beauty Dungdung’s journey reminds us that sometimes the greatest battles in sport are fought far beyond the field.

(With inputs from ANI)