Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian men’s hockey team received a grand welcome at Amritsar airport on Wednesday after winning a gold medal in the men’s hockey team event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Amritsar airport was flooded with people who came to get a glimpse of the Indian hockey players and give them a warm welcome after their success at the 19th Asian Games.
While speaking to the press after returning from Hangzhou, Harmanpreet Singh thanked his family members for their continuous support, which helped the Indian men’s hockey skipper clinch a gold medal at the Asian Games. “My family supported me a lot during the journey. I want to thank them,” Harmanpreet Singh said when asked about his family’s contribution.
India beat Japan 5-1 in the Asian Games 2023 men’s hockey final at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, on Friday to win the gold medal. With the win, the Indian men’s hockey team also secured a berth at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manpreet Singh (25’), Harmanpreet Singh (32, 59’’), Amit Rohidas (36’) and Abhishek (48’) scored the goals for the Indian hockey team in the gold medal match. Tanaka Seren (51’) netted the only goal for Japan.
This was the Indian men’s hockey team’s fourth gold medal at the Asian Games after the 1966 and 1988 editions in Bangkok and Incheon 2014. India had topped Pool A after winning all their group games before defeating the Republic of Korea 5-3 in the semi-finals.
At the 19th Asian Games, India finished in the fourth position of the medal table with its best-ever medal tally of 107 medals.
Grand celebration as Indian women’s hockey team returns to Ranchi
Ranchi: After their triumphant campaign at the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Indian women’s hockey team returned to Ranchi with a well-earned bronze medal. The team was warmly welcomed at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Nikki Pradhan, an Indian player, expressed their commitment to qualify for the Paris Olympics. She mentioned that although they aimed for a gold medal and secured bronze, they are content with the result. In the semifinals, they couldn’t perform at their best, and they intend to focus on Paris Olympics qualification in upcoming matches. Sangita Kumari, reflecting on her first Asian Games tournament, stated their determination to win gold for India in the future.
The women’s hockey team secured the bronze medal by defeating Japan 2-1 at the 19th Asian Games held at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium. Deepika (5’) and Sushila Chanu (50’) scored for the Indian team, while Japan’s captain, Nagai Yuri (30’), netted a goal for her team. In the men’s hockey event, the Indian team dethroned 2018 gold medalist Japan, claiming their fourth hockey gold at the Asian Games and securing a spot at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
