Nikita Toppo: A Resilient Hockey Star Overcoming Life's Challenges
A Journey of Strength and Perseverance
Nikita Toppo, the captain of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) women's hockey team, embodies the spirit of resilience as articulated by American educator Jaime Escalante: "Life is not about how many times you fall down. It is about how many times you get back up." At just 22 years old, she faced unimaginable loss, having lost both parents by the age of five. Tragically, she also lost an elder brother in an accident just before the U-23 Five-Nations Cup in Ireland three years ago. Following this, she endured a serious injury that threatened her hockey career, and soon after, her only surviving brother suffered a severe skull injury from an accident. Despite these hardships, Nikita has found refuge in hockey, playing a crucial role in leading KIIT to their first-ever women's team gold at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025.
Creating a Winning Team
Nikita shared her insights on team dynamics, stating, "Previously, we struggled to clear our zone against strong university teams in Odisha. However, since last year, my coach and I focused on assembling a talented team to join our university. Once we arrived here, we were determined to secure the title." This determination was evident as her team triumphed over ITM University, Gwalior, to claim the gold medal. Watch the moment here.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
In the championship match, Nikita played a pivotal role as a defensive midfielder, controlling the game's tempo and preventing ITM players from penetrating her team's defense. However, it is her mental fortitude and clarity that truly distinguish her. She remarked, "What happened, happened, and we cannot change it. I focus on the present and accept the situation. I remain strong for my team and my family, or what is left of it, and I do not shed a tear because I do not want my insecurities and unfortunate incidents to take over me and cloud my mind."
Reflecting on her brother's tragic accident in 2022, she stated, "It was heartbreaking, but I refused to let it bring me down. I didn’t want my team to suffer because of my grief. No matter how much I miss him, he will not return, and I could not even attend his last rites." Following this, the Indian team secured a silver medal at the U-23 Five-Nations Cup.
Hockey Career and Challenges
Nikita's hockey journey began in 2016 when she joined the government sports hostel in Panposh, Rourkela. She was part of the Indian U-21 team that achieved four wins and a draw during their tour of South Africa in 2023. However, a ligament injury during a Khelo India Youth Games training camp in 2023, coupled with her brother's accident, forced her to take nearly a year to recover both physically and mentally before returning to the hockey field.
Aspirations for the Future
Currently, Nikita aims to compete in the senior national championships as part of the Odisha team and hopes to win a medal. Her long-term ambition is to represent India in significant competitions and secure stable employment. She utilizes part of her earnings from the Khelo India Scheme for her sport while saving the rest to build a dream home for her brother, ensuring he has a comfortable place to recover. "Having a place to call home is my greatest desire; I have always lived with relatives," she expressed. Nikita is currently a second-year Home Science student at KIIT.