Dalip Singh Rana had a successful career as an Indian professional wrestler and after retiring, he ventured into wrestling promotion.
He gained widespread recognition from WWE and achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Indian World Heavyweight Champion.
His achievements in the world of wrestling have made him a prominent figure in the industry and an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers around the world.
File
- Full name: Dalip Singh Rana
- Stage Name: The Great Khali
- Date of birth: August 27, 1972,
- Age: 51 years old
- Place of birth: Dhiranagar,
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Wrestler
- Height: 2.16m
- Parents: Tandi Devi and Jwala Ram
- Siblings: Inder Singh, Mangat Singh, Mohinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Joginder Singh and Jaswant Singh.
- Spouse: Harminder Kaur
- Children: Avleen Rana,
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $6 million.
Early life and education
The Great Khali came into this world on August 27, 1972, in Dhiranagar, Himachal Pradesh, India. The youngest of his siblings, he grew up in a humble family where his father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife. They were Tandi Devi and Jwala Ram. He grew up with six siblings: Inder Singh, Mangat Singh, Mohinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Joginder Singh and Jaswant Singh.
Khali’s childhood was unremarkable until he turned 17. He suffered from a growth disorder called acromegaly. The condition severely affected his physical development, causing him to grow rapidly and excessively. By the time he turned 18, Khali was an astonishing 7 feet tall.
Due to financial constraints, Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as The Great Khali, had to drop out of school at the age of seven. His family could not afford the meager tuition fee of Rs 2.50, forcing him to drop out after completing Class II. Born into a humble family in a village in Himachal Pradesh, India, his father was a farmer while his mother took care of the household.
Despite having no formal education, Khali demonstrated remarkable intelligence and athletic ability from an early age.
Career
Khali began his journey in the world of wrestling in 2000, dedicating his time to honing his skills in the United States and Japan. The following year marked a major milestone as he officially entered the professional wrestling scene, showcasing his talents in popular promotions such as All Pro Wrestling (APW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Looking to expand his horizons, Khali ventured further east in 2002 to join New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he achieved great success by winning the prestigious IWGP Tag Team Championship alongside his partner, Giant Bernard.
After signing with WWE in 2006, Khali debuted on SmackDown! on April 21. In an impressive victory, he defeated The Undertaker by countout. This victory began a remarkable undefeated streak for Khali, as he defeated respected wrestlers such as Kane, Big Show, and John Cena.
A year later, in 2007, Khali won the World Heavyweight Championship in a dramatic 20-man battle royal. He held the title for an impressive 113 days before losing to Batista.
Awards and nominations
- World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class
- Royal Rumble 7-Man Match
- Slammy Award (1 time) for “Damn!”
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter presented him with the following awards:
- Overrated
- Worst trick
- He was also nominated for the following awards:
- WWE Championship (2 times)
- Royal Rumble Match
- Slammy Award for “Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year”
- Slammy Award for “Worst Fight of the Year”
Social media
- Instagram: @thegreatkhali
- Twitter: @TheGreatKhali
- Facebook: @TheGreatKhali
Personal life
The individual known as The Great Khali, whose real name is Dalip Singh Rana, is married to Harminder Kaur. Together they have a daughter named Avleen Rana, who was born in 2014.
In 2002, Khali and Kaur entered into a holy marriage through a traditional Sikh ceremony, cementing their commitment to each other. Their paths crossed through the involvement of their families, and since that moment, they have remained inseparable.
Net worth
The Great Khali has a net worth of $6 million. While his professional wrestling career is his primary source of income, he also makes money through other activities such as acting, brand endorsements, business ventures, and social media. These sources of income have impacted his overall financial success.
