The Great Khali Weight, Age, Death, Family, Biography & More

Dalip Singh Rana, an Indian American professional wrestler, actor, and promoter, is widely recognized by the ring name “The Great Khali.” He entered the professional fighting scene in 2000, marking the beginning of his career. Within WWE, Singh achieved the title of World Heavyweight Champion once and showcased his acting skills in films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Get Smart” (2008). In 2021, Khali earned a well-deserved spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. Renowned for his imposing height and formidable strength, he holds a special place as one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers. Khali’s standout achievement remains his tenure with WWE, where he became the first Indian-born WWE World Heavyweight Champion. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive Dalip Singh Rana biography.

The Great Khali Biography

The Indian-American professional wrestler, promoter, and actor known as The Great Khali, or Dalip Singh Rana, has left a notable impact in both Bollywood and Hindi language TV shows. Emerging from a modest background, Rana initially took on odd jobs to make ends meet before securing a position in the ‘Punjab State Police.’ Despite facing challenges due to his towering height, Khali not only overcame them but embraced his unique physical attributes. His journey into professional wrestling has been remarkable. Beyond the wrestling ring, Khali has ventured into the entertainment industry, featuring in four Hollywood movies, two Bollywood films, and various TV programs. Additionally, he made a notable appearance on the popular reality show Bigg Boss.

Dalip Singh Rana Picture

Dalip Singh Rana Young Age Picture

Dalip Singh Rana With his Wife Picture

Dalip Singh Rana With his Daughter Picture

Dalip Singh Rana With his Mother Picture

Dalip Singh Rana With his Girlfriend Picture

Family

Born and raised in Dhiraina, Himachal Pradesh, India, The Great Khali, whose real name is Dalip Singh Rana, hails from a Hindu family. Ashutosh Maharaj served as his spiritual mentor. His parents are Jwala Ram (father) and Tandi Devi (mother).

Age

Dalip Singh Rana was born on August 27, 1972, in Dhiraina, a small village in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh, India. His parents are Jwala Ram and Tandi Devi. As of now, he is 51 years old.

Education

Details about Dalip Singh Rana’s schooling, college, and academic qualifications have not been disclosed or made publicly available.

Height and Weight

Dalip Singh Rana, known as The Great Khali, stands at an impressive height of 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm) and weighs 157 kg.

Early life

Dalip Singh Rana was born into a Punjabi Rajput family to Jwala Ram and Tandi Devi in the village of Dhiraina, located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Growing up with limited access to education, Rana faced the responsibility of supporting his family from an early age. Initially working as a roadside laborer, he later moved to Shimla and took on the role of a security guard.

Rana, who has acromegaly, a condition leading to gigantism and chin protrusion among other symptoms, came to the attention of Mahal Singh Bhullar, the former police chief of Punjab known for aiding numerous individuals from Punjab Police in achieving international recognition. While serving as a security guard in Shimla, Rana was noticed by the Punjab police officer, who, in 1993, offered him a position within the Punjab Police. Despite initial reluctance to leave Himachal Pradesh, Rana’s decision was influenced by the fact that his brother was also offered a job in the Punjab Police.

After relocating to Punjab, specifically Jalandhar, Rana immersed himself in local gyms, honing his skills to pursue a career in wrestling. His dedication and talent soon earned him a spot for specialized wrestling training in the United States.

Personal life

In 2002, Rana entered matrimony with Harminder Kaur, with whom he shares a commitment to daily meditation and a disdain for alcohol and tobacco. Their family expanded with the birth of a daughter in February 2014 and a son in November 2023.  The origin of his ring name, The Great Khali, has been a subject of conflicting narratives. While some sources claim Rana suggested the name after the Hindu goddess Kali, associated with eternal energy, he contradicted this in an interview, asserting that the name was bestowed upon him by WWE, not of his own choosing.

Rana’s rigorous training routine involves two hours of daily weight training. Contradictory reports about his diet exist, with some asserting a vegetarian regimen and others claiming substantial chicken consumption. He clarified that he appreciates vegetarian food but also includes meat in his diet.

Career

Dalip Singh Rana, after immigrating to the United States in 1999, embarked on his professional wrestling journey by joining the All Pro Wrestling (APW) boot camp as a trainee. Initially known as Giant Singh, he made his debut in professional wrestling against Tony Jones on October 7, 2000. However, an unfortunate incident occurred during his training with Brian Ong on May 28, 2001. This, combined with a previously undiagnosed concussion, resulted in Ong’s tragic death. The APW trainers had failed to recognize the severity of the concussion.

Subsequently, Ong’s family, after a day of deliberation, filed a lawsuit against APW, seeking accountability for the tragedy. Rana continued his wrestling career, using the Giant Singh persona in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Death of Brian Ong

On May 28, 2001, Brian Ong tragically passed away following a flapjack wrestling move executed by Singh. During the session, Ong had suffered a previous concussion. However, despite his condition, the trainers at All Pro Wrestling (APW) provided him with a lower evaluation, instructing him to continue training. It was revealed that Ong did not receive proper protective gear or supervision from APW staff. Unfortunately, the second concussion proved fatal, and Singh, inadvertently causing Ong’s death, became a focal point of the ensuing legal proceedings.

In response to the circumstances surrounding Ong’s demise, his family filed a lawsuit against APW. After less than a day of deliberations, APW was found liable for recklessness. The court awarded the Ong family damages totaling over $1.3 million. This legal outcome underscored the responsibility of the wrestling organization in ensuring the safety and well-being of its participants.

Awards & Achievements

The exclusive holder of the ‘WWE World Heavyweight Champion’ title is The Great Khali. He secured the championship on July 17, 2007, triumphing in a 20-man battle royal. The corresponding episode of ‘SmackDown’ aired on July 20th. Additionally, in 2008, Khali garnered a ‘Slammy Award’ for the ‘“Damn!” Moment of the Year’ due to his entertaining ‘Khali Kiss Cam.’

Net Worth

According to available sources, The Great Khali is estimated to have a net worth of $6 million.

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