The Indian men’s hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, clinched a historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with a 2-1 victory over Spain. Singh, who was instrumental throughout the tournament, shared his joy on Instagram with a photo of him kissing the medal and the caption, “Hello India this is for you.”
This win marks India’s second consecutive Olympic medal in hockey, an achievement not seen in over 50 years. The match, held at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, was also notable as it served as the final international appearance for legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Singh’s two crucial goals in the 30th and 33rd minutes were pivotal, and his performance secured him the title of the tournament’s top scorer with ten goals in eight matches, surpassing Australia’s Blake Govers.
Sreejesh’s standout saves throughout the match were critical to the team’s success. To honor their achievements, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each player and Rs 7.5 lakh for the support staff. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey praised the team’s performance, emphasizing the significance of their back-to-back Olympic medals and highlighting Sreejesh’s illustrious career and contributions.
In related news, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has named PR Sreejesh and pistol shooter Manu Bhaker as the joint flagbearers for the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. IOA President PT Usha explained that Sreejesh was a popular and emotional choice, reflecting his over two decades of exemplary service to Indian hockey and sports.
Sreejesh’s selection comes after India’s successful bronze medal match, with Singh’s performance and Sreejesh’s goalkeeping playing crucial roles. Neeraj Chopra, who won silver in the men’s javelin throw, also supported Sreejesh’s nomination, underscoring the respect and admiration Sreejesh commands within the Indian sporting community.
Manu Bhaker, who made history by winning multiple medals in a single Olympic Games, will join Sreejesh as a flagbearer. Bhaker secured bronze medals in the 10m Air Pistol Women’s event and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event with Sarabjot Singh. Despite narrowly missing a third medal, Bhaker’s achievements reflect her exceptional performance in Paris. She joins an elite group of Indian athletes with multiple Olympic medals, including PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar.