Paula Ortiz is a distinguished Argentine field hockey player, celebrated for her defensive skills, international experience, and leadership with the national team, Las Leonas.
Early Life and Background
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Full Name: María Paula Ortiz
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Date of Birth: April 16, 1997
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Place of Birth: Pablo Podestá, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Height: 1.66 m
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Weight: 53 kg
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Position: Defender / Midfielder
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Club: Club San Martín
Career Highlights
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National Team Debut:
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Made her senior debut for Argentina on June 1, 2015, in a Test Match against Italy.
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Olympic Participation:
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Competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games as part of the Argentine squad.
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Youth Olympic Games:
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Bronze medalist at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics (Hockey 5s).
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Major Tournaments:
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Played in the 2015 Pan American Games, winning a silver medal.
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Key member of the 2017 Women’s Pan American Cup squad, earning Young Player of the Tournament.
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Participated in the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup, scoring a widely acclaimed goal against Spain.
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Member of the squads for the 2017 World League, 2018 Champions Trophy, and 2018 World Cup.
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Club Career:
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Played for Club San Martín in Argentina and was a standout midfielder for Real Club de Polo in Spain during the 2023–2024 season.
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Recent Developments
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Returned to the Argentina national team (Las Leonas) in 2025 after two years playing in Europe, expressing her excitement to rejoin the squad and contribute to its growth.
Playing Profile
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Strengths:
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Strong defensive positioning and anticipation
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Versatility to play both in defense and midfield
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Composure and leadership in high-pressure matches
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Ability to score and create from set pieces
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Style:
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Modern, technically skilled defender/midfielder with tactical intelligence and a powerful shot
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Notable Facts
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Recognized for her spectacular goal at the 2018 World Cup, hailed as a “goal of the tournament” contender.
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Known for her resilience, having navigated difficult career decisions, including balancing opportunities in Europe with her commitment to Las Leonas.
FAQs About Paula Ortiz
What position does Paula Ortiz play?
Defender / Midfielder
Which club does she play for?
Club San Martín (Argentina); previously Real Club de Polo (Spain)
How old is Paula Ortiz?
28 (born April 16, 1997; as of June 2025)
What are her main achievements?
Olympian (2016), Youth Olympic bronze medalist (2014), Pan American Games silver medalist (2015), Young Player of the Tournament (2017 Pan American Cup), acclaimed World Cup goal (2018)
What is her playing style?
Composed, tactically skilled defender/midfielder with leadership and offensive ability
Conclusion
Paula Ortiz is a key figure in Argentine field hockey, celebrated for her Olympic and international medals, her versatility, and her leadership for Las Leonas and at the club level.
