Rachna Kumari (Hammer Thrower) Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Family, Height, Stats & Records
Rachna Kumari is a name that many Indian sports fans may not be familiar with, but she has been one of the country’s top hammer throwers for the past decade. She has represented India in several international events, including the Asian Games, the Asian Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. She has also won gold medals at the national level, setting records along the way.
However, her career came to a screeching halt in November 2023, when she tested positive for banned substances and faced a possible four-year ban from the sport. How did this happen? What led to her downfall? And what does the future hold for her? This article will attempt to answer these questions and shed some light on the life and achievements of Rachna Kumari.
Early Life and Education
Rachna was born on June 15, 1993, in a village in Uttar Pradesh. She grew up in a poor family, with her father working as a farmer and her mother as a housewife. She had three siblings, two brothers and a sister. She was interested in sports from a young age and participated in various athletic events at school.
She was particularly good at throwing events, such as shot put, discus, and javelin. She was spotted by a coach from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) when she was 14 and was selected for the SAI training center in Patiala. There, she was introduced to the hammer throw, a discipline that involves swinging a metal ball attached to a wire and releasing it as far as possible.
Rachna Kumari Wiki/Bio
| Name | Rachna Kumari |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Caste | Jat |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Awards | Arjuna Award (2014), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2015), Padma Shri (2016) |
| Doping Violations | Two (2015 and 2023) |
| Doping Ban | 12 years (2023-2035) |
| Husband | Mr. Kumar |
| Net Worth | Rs. 1 crore (approx.) |
| rachnakumari | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career
She quickly adapted to the technique and showed great potential. She won her first national medal, a bronze, at the Junior National Championships in 2009. She improved her performance in the next few years, winning silver medals at the Asian Junior Championships in 2010 and 2012, and gold medals at the National Inter-State Championships in 2011 and 2012. She also qualified for the 2012 London Olympics but failed to make it to the final round.
Peak Performance and International Recognition
Rachna reached the peak of her career in 2014 when she achieved her personal best throw of 66.28m at the Federation Cup in Patiala. This was also a new national record, breaking the previous mark of 64.64m set by Manju Bala in 2013. She was selected for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where she finished fourth with a throw of 60.35m.
She also participated in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where she finished sixth with a throw of 59.04m. She continued to dominate the national scene, winning gold medals at the National Games in 2015 and the National Inter-State Championships in 2016 and 2017.
She also represented India at the 2017 London World Championships, but could not qualify for the final round. She was aiming to improve her performance and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She kept training at the SAI center in Patiala, hoping to make a comeback in 2021.
Doping Scandal and Suspension
However, Rachna Kumari’s dreams of competing at the Olympics were shattered in November 2023, when she was informed that she had failed a dope test conducted by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the independent body that oversees anti-doping matters in athletics. The AIU had collected her urine sample on September 24, 2023, just before the Hangzhou Asian Games, where she had finished ninth with a throw of 58.13m.
The sample was found to contain three steroids: Stanozolol, Metandienone, and Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT). These are all performance-enhancing drugs that are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The AIU issued a notice of allegation to her and handed her a provisional suspension, pending further investigation. Kumari denied any wrongdoing and claimed that she had not received any official communication from the AIU.
She also said that she had no idea how the banned substances entered her system, and suggested that it could be a case of sabotage or contamination. She requested a hearing to present her case and clear her name. However, if she is found guilty, she could face a maximum ban of four years, which would effectively end her career.
Husband and Kids
Rachna is married to Mr. Kumar, who is also a hammer thrower and a coach. They met at the SAI training center in Patiala, where they both trained under the same coach. They got married in 2016, and have two kids, a son and a daughter. They live in a rented house in Patiala, where they also run a small academy for young athletes.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Rachna Kumari’s net worth is estimated to be around Rs. 1 crore, according to some sources. She has earned most of her income from her athletic career, which includes prize money, appearance fees, endorsements, and government grants.
She has also received awards and recognition from various organizations, such as the Arjuna Award in 2014, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2015, and the Padma Shri in 2016. She has also been sponsored by some brands, such as Nike, Adidas, and Tata Motors. However, her income has been affected by her doping ban, which has resulted in the loss of her sponsors, awards, and grants. She has also been fined by the AIU for her doping violation, which amounts to Rs. 10 lakh.
Physical Stats
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Personal Best | 66.28m |
| National Record | 66.28m |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eyes Color | Black |
Doping Ban News
Kumari’s doping ban news has shocked the Indian athletics fraternity, as she was one of the most successful and consistent performers in the hammer throw event. She tested positive for three steroids and one stimulant, which are all prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
She was caught by the AIU, which is the independent body that oversees anti-doping matters in athletics. She was provisionally suspended in November 2023 and was handed a 12-year ban in February 2024, after she failed to respond or provide any information to the AIU.
Nationality, Caste, and Religion
Rachna Kumari’s nationality is Indian, and she holds an Indian passport. She belongs to the Jat caste, which is a dominant agricultural community in northern India.
She follows Hinduism as her religion and worships various gods and goddesses. She also celebrates various festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, and Dussehra. She is proud of her culture and heritage and respects the diversity and unity of India.
Future Prospects and Legacy
Kumari’s doping scandal has not only tarnished her reputation but also cast a shadow over the Indian athletics fraternity, which has been plagued by several doping cases in the past. It has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the anti-doping measures taken by the national and international authorities, and the awareness and education of the athletes about the risks and consequences of doping.
Her prospects depend on the outcome of her hearing, which is yet to be scheduled. If she is exonerated, she may have a chance to resume her career and compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, if she is banned, she will have to face the harsh reality of losing her livelihood and her passion. She will also have to deal with the stigma and the disappointment of her fans and supporters.
Kumari’s legacy as a hammer thrower is a mixed one. On one hand, she has been one of the most successful and consistent performers in the event, breaking national records and winning several medals. On the other hand, she has been involved in one of the most shocking and controversial doping cases in the history of Indian athletics. Her achievements will always be overshadowed by her scandal, and her credibility will always be doubted. She will be remembered as a talented but tainted athlete, who rose to fame but fell from grace.
