Renuka Yadav now part of hockey squad for Rio Olympics

Renuka Yadav was born on 18 July, 1994 and hails from Rajnandgaon, located in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Renuka used to be a milk seller, who went door-to-door on her bicycle and her parents worked as domestic helps in various houses to earn a living.

She is currently a midfielder and fullback in the Indian women's national Hockey team.

Renuka started playing hockey when she was in the 7th grade.

Renuka's mentor, Bushan Sao, also a school-level hockey coach in Rajnandgaon, recognised her talent and encouraged her to take to the game.

He also gifted her the first hockey stick she would play with.

After high school, she went to practice at the Girls Hockey Academy in Gwalior (MP).

Currently employed as a ticket examiner with Central Railways in Mumbai, Renuka has been playing hockey for India as a midfielder for some time now.

In 2015, she played against Japan during the Junior Asia Cup.

Renuka played as a defender against Sri Lanka and Nepal in the 12th South Asian Games 2016, which were held in Guwahati and Shillong.

Hockey India announced the names of India's women's 16-member squad for the Rio Olympics making Renuka Yadav, Chhattisgarh's first woman olympian.

Renuka while sharing her "happiest moment" said that, ''this is a golden moment of my life. I'm delighted to be the first woman Olympian of Chhattisgarh."

The Indian women's hockey team has qualified for the Olympics after a gap of 36 years.