Other name of The Great Khali is Dalip Singh Rana. He was born on 27-08-1972 in Dhiraina, Sirmaur in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. He is popularly known as The Great Khali and is an Indian actor, promoter, powerlifter and professional wrestler, who is prominently known for his collaboration with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).
Height
The Great Khali is the eighth tallest professional Wrestler in the history. His billed height is 7 ft 1 in and his weight is 347 lbs (157 kgs). He debuted in WWE in 2006 with the famous Diaviri and had great associations with Ranjin Singh and Jinder Mahal.
Bio and Career
Khali’s wrestling career began in All Pro Wrestling (APW) in the early 2000s before moving to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He caught the attention of WWE and made his debut on the April 7, 2006 episode of SmackDown!, attacking The Undertaker in a dramatic fashion. wiki
WWE Highlights
- Khali became the first Indian wrestler to win the World Heavyweight Championship in 2007 after defeating 20 other competitors in a Battle Royal on SmackDown.
- Known for his finishing move, the Punjabi Plunge, and his signature move, the Khali Chop.
- His in-ring persona often depicted him as an unstoppable giant, but he later transitioned to a more comedic and beloved character in WWE.
- He also competed in high-profile matches against legends like John Cena, Batista, and The Undertaker.
Acting Career
Outside wrestling, Khali has appeared in several international films, including:
- The Longest Yard (2005) with Adam Sandler
- Get Smart (2008)
- MacGruber (2010)
He has also participated in Indian reality shows such as Bigg Boss, further cementing his popularity in his home country.
Challenges
Khali is said to suffer from acromegaly which causes him gigantism and chin protrusion. Also in 2012, he has undergone a brain surgery due to tumor detected in his pituitary gland. However, he is currently recovering from the same.
The Great Khali Popular Video
Retirement and Legacy
Khali retired from full-time wrestling in 2014 but continues to make sporadic WWE appearances. He has also founded the Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE), a wrestling school in India, to train aspiring wrestlers.
In February 2015, Khali went on to open his own wrestling school in Punjab. He loves his training schedule and ensures to do his weight lifting practice dedicatedly every morning and evening for two hours.
In 2021, Khali was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport.