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India's Hockey Champions Reignite with Commanding Win in Asian Champions TrophyThe Indian men's hockey team commenced their title defense in the Asian Champions Trophy with an emphatic 3-0 victory over hosts China in Hulunbuir, China. The triumph marks a promising start for the team, which recently secured a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal.India's dominance was evident from the outset, with Sukhjeet Singh opening the scoring in the 14th minute. Uttam Singh extended the lead in the 27th minute, and Abhishek sealed the victory with a spectacular reverse hit just two minutes into the second half.The Indian defense proved impenetrable, thwarting China's attempts to penetrate their ranks. The team's cohesive play and clinical finishing were a testament to their preparation and determination.Last year, India emerged victorious in the tournament on home soil, becoming the only team to claim four titles in its history. This year's triumph sets the stage for another successful campaign.In other matches, Malaysia and Pakistan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Japan and Korea engaged in a high-scoring affair that ended in a 5-5 stalemate.India will face Japan in their second pool match on Monday, aiming to maintain their winning momentum. The team's performance in the Asian Champions Trophy will serve as a valuable test ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Manpreet Singh, the 32-year-old Indian hockey legend, is determined to continue his illustrious career despite the team's recent Olympic success. With two consecutive Olympic medals under his belt, Manpreet is hungry for more and believes the team could have achieved even greater heights in Paris."It feels great to win back-to-back medals, but the way we played all through in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way," Manpreet told The Hindu. "We were very close to the final, and we will always think about what we could have done differently in the semifinal."Since relinquishing the captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, Manpreet has experienced a resurgence in his form and performance. He attributes this to a change in mindset and the freedom to play his natural game."Earlier, I always had high expectations from myself. During Graham's (Reid) time, I had started playing simple hockey — simple passes, no risks. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want — going up, dribbling, and dodging — but do it 100 percent, no half measures," Manpreet explained."Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team, watch videos, see how it could be done better. And it's not just me, it's for everyone, we have the license to go anywhere if we see space. Plus, I have matured too!"With the Asian Champions Trophy approaching, Manpreet is eager to get back to the grind. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining his fitness at his age but is determined to stay competitive."I want to get back to my fitness regime and get better because you cannot survive in modern hockey without it. But I also know that I have to be careful, it gets more difficult every year, and I need to be serious about it," Manpreet said."Yes, it is very difficult — when you compete with 18-19-year-olds, who are obviously fitter and stronger, you have to be mentally and physically tough enough and not give up, beat them, and prove yourself. I know I have to put in extra effort and be more careful even when not in camp – I know sweets or junk food will affect me more than the other guy, I will have to sweat out much more to burn it off. I love pizza, but I last had a bite several months ago. I haven't touched ice cream or sweets or aerated drinks for ages. But you do what you have to do."Manpreet's passion for hockey is evident in his unwavering commitment to the sport. He is driven by the desire to inspire his daughter and leave a lasting legacy in Indian hockey."It feels good to have her in the stands, you know someone is watching you all the time and cheering. A father is a role model for every kid, and I want to keep getting better for her so that when she grows up, she will know what her father did and be proud. I just want to do that for her," an emotional Manpreet said.

After guiding India to a historic second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, head coach Craig Fulton faces a new challenge: preparing his team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in China. Despite the team's recent celebrations, Fulton remains focused on the task at hand.Reflecting on the Paris campaign, Fulton expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal of a gold medal, he praised the team's resilience and determination. He highlighted the team's strong performance in the pool stage and their impressive victory over Australia in the group stage.Fulton believes the team's success in Paris was a result of a well-structured preparation process. He emphasized the importance of the team's warm-up matches against Holland, Great Britain, and Germany, which provided valuable experience and helped them fine-tune their tactics.When asked about the team's best performers in Paris, Fulton declined to single out any individuals, emphasizing the collective effort required in a team sport. He acknowledged the contributions of Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals, but stressed that his success was made possible by the entire team's efforts.Looking ahead to the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton acknowledged the challenge of replacing goalkeeper Sreejesh. However, he expressed confidence in the abilities of Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who will be the goalkeepers for the tournament. He also highlighted the importance of building depth in the squad and giving younger players opportunities to prove themselves.Despite the short turnaround time between the Olympics and the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton remains optimistic about the team's chances. He emphasized the team's desire to defend their title and their commitment to preparing thoroughly for the tournament.

Krishan Bahadur Pathak has been appointed as the main goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, following the retirement of veteran PR Sreejesh. The tournament will be held in Hulunbuir, China, from September 8-17, and will feature defending champions India alongside Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and hosts China.Pathak, who served as India's standby goalkeeper at the Paris Olympics and in previous tournaments, will now take on the primary role, with Suraj Karkera as the reserve custodian. Experienced midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been named vice-captain, replacing Hardik Singh, who has been rested along with Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh, and Gurjant Singh.The tournament presents a significant opportunity for promising drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, who traveled to the Paris Olympics as a standby and will aim to prove his credentials alongside the formidable Harmanpreet Singh. Jugraj has demonstrated his abilities in limited appearances in the Pro League and will seek to solidify his place in the team. Araijeet Singh Hundal will serve as the third drag-flicker.The Indian defense will be anchored by Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit. The midfield will comprise Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohammed Raheel, while a young forward line featuring Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Hundal, junior India captain Uttam Singh, and debutant Gurjot Singh will lead the attack.Ten players from the Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning squad have been included in this team. Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasized the importance of the tournament for building ranking points and continuing the team's momentum after their Olympic success. He also highlighted the inclusion of young players who have earned their opportunity through impressive performances in training.India will commence their campaign against China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan the next day. After a day's rest, they will face Malaysia on September 11 and Korea the following day. The team will then take on arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17, respectively.

PR Sreejesh's retirement from international hockey after the Paris Olympics has left a void in the Indian team's goalkeeping department. Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sreejesh's deputy for the past three years, is the frontrunner to succeed him.Pathak, 27, has 125 caps and has shown maturity and temperament in several matches, including the Asian Games and World Cup. India's goalkeeping consultant, Dennis van de Pol, believes Pathak is ready to fill Sreejesh's shoes."Now is Pathak's time. He has already shown that he can be on Sreejesh's level," van de Pol said. "During the 2023 World Cup, it didn't matter whether we put Pathak or Sreejesh in the goal as both played equally well."However, Pathak has never been the No. 1 goalkeeper for India. He has always been Sreejesh's deputy, and his only appearances in the Olympics and other major tournaments have been as a standby."It was of course a hard time for him, going to two Olympics and not getting any medal when the team is winning medals," van de Pol said. "But he also knows now it is his time."With Pathak taking over as the No. 1 goalkeeper, the question is who will be his deputy. Van de Pol believes there are several talented young goalkeepers who could fill that role, including Suraj Karkera, Pawan Malik, and Mohit."Luckily, there are loads of guys who have proven themselves," van de Pol said. "We will see who takes the second spot, but that is all up to their form."The first test for Pathak and Co will come at the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir City, China from September 8 to 17.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted retired Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh and his family at his residence on Independence Day. A heartwarming video of the meeting has gone viral on social media, showcasing the Prime Minister's genuine affection for the family.In the video, PM Modi engages in a playful conversation with Sreejesh's son, Sreeansh. Pointing towards his father, the Prime Minister asks, "Ye maarta hai (Does he hit you)?" Sreeansh's affirmative nod elicits laughter from everyone present. The Prime Minister then offers the child a sweet, further endearing himself to the family.Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics, was accorded a grand welcome upon his arrival at the international airport in Kochi. The hockey star expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic reception, describing it as the "cherry on top of the cake."Reflecting on his future plans, Sreejesh revealed that he will spend the next 2-3 months preparing for his transition from player to coach. He acknowledged the challenges of this transition and emphasized the need for mental preparation.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that saw him establish himself as one of India's greatest goalkeepers. His contributions to the national team have been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of hockey players.

Gurjant Singh, the unsung hero behind Harmanpreet Singh's Olympic scoring prowess, played a pivotal role in India's bronze medal triumph in Paris. As a forward, Gurjant's primary responsibility was to create scoring opportunities for his team, which he did with aplomb.Despite being a regular member of the Indian hockey squad, Gurjant's journey has been marked by injuries. In 2019, he underwent surgery for a nose injury, followed by another surgery for a groin injury and sports hernia in 2020. These setbacks kept him out of action for extended periods.Upon his return from the Tokyo Olympics, where he won a bronze medal, Gurjant faced another setback in the form of a hip injury. However, he has been injury-free since March 2022, which has allowed him to regain his form and earn the trust of chief coach Craig Fulton.Under Fulton, Gurjant's role has evolved. While he was primarily a forward in Tokyo, he now plays both as a midfielder and a striker. This versatility has proven invaluable, especially when injuries have forced players to switch positions.In the Paris Olympics, Gurjant's ability to play multiple positions was crucial. When defender Amit Rohidas was suspended for the semi-final against Germany, Gurjant seamlessly filled in as a midfielder. This allowed India to maintain their tactical balance and ultimately secure a place in the bronze medal match.Gurjant's contributions to the Indian hockey team cannot be overstated. His ability to create scoring opportunities, his versatility, and his resilience in the face of injuries have made him an indispensable member of the squad. As India looks to build on its recent success, Gurjant Singh will undoubtedly play a key role in their future endeavors.

Tragedy Strikes: Three Budding Hockey Players Killed in Jharkhand Lightning StrikeIn a heart-wrenching incident, three promising hockey players lost their lives while five others were severely injured in a lightning strike in Simdega district of Jharkhand on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred in Tutikela village, where the players had gathered for a hockey competition.As heavy rain lashed the area, the players sought shelter under a tree to avoid getting drenched. However, fate had a cruel twist in store for them. A sudden lightning bolt struck the tree, instantly killing Senan Dang, Nirmal Horo, and Enos Budh.The remaining players, Clement Bagay, Jailesh Bagay, Salim Bagay, Patras Bagay, and Patras Dang, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Kolebira community health center. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and the hockey fraternity.According to the police, the players were all between the ages of 15 and 18 and had been practicing for the competition. The sudden loss of these young lives has left their families and friends devastated.The Jharkhand government has announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. The state's Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, expressed his condolences and ordered an investigation into the incident.The tragedy highlights the dangers of lightning strikes, especially during heavy rainfall. Experts advise people to seek shelter in enclosed buildings or vehicles during thunderstorms and to avoid standing under trees or open fields.The hockey community has come together to mourn the loss of these talented young players. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has expressed its deepest sympathies and pledged to support the families of the victims.The incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of taking precautions during inclement weather. As the monsoon season continues, it is crucial for people to be aware of the risks associated with lightning strikes and to take necessary safety measures.

Raj Kumar Pal's Olympic bronze medal has brought immense joy and recognition to his humble village of Karampur in Uttar Pradesh. The 26-year-old hockey player's journey to the podium has been marked by adversity, determination, and the unwavering support of his family and mentors.Growing up in a mud house, Raj Kumar's family faced financial hardship after his father's untimely demise. Hockey, which had been a passion for the three brothers, took a backseat as they struggled to make ends meet. However, Raj Kumar's talent and dedication caught the attention of Tej Bahadur Singh, owner of the Karampur hockey academy.Tej Bahadur provided financial support to the Pal family for two years, enabling Raj Kumar to pursue his hockey dreams. With the support of his brothers, who secured jobs in the Army and Railways, Raj Kumar was able to focus solely on his game.In 2012, Raj Kumar was selected for the Sports Authority of India's Regional Centre in Lucknow. His impressive performances in domestic tournaments caught the eye of former Hockey India high performance director David John, who selected him for the senior national development camp in 2017.Despite not making the Tokyo Olympics squad, Raj Kumar remained determined to improve his game. He identified his weaknesses and worked tirelessly to address them. His efforts paid off when he was selected for the Paris Olympics over more experienced seniors.In Paris, Raj Kumar played a crucial role in India's bronze medal victory. His attacking instincts, fitness, and stick work earned him a place in the starting lineup alongside Shamsher Singh and Gurjant Singh. He was particularly impressive in the quarter-final against Great Britain, scoring the winning goal in the shootout.Raj Kumar's Olympic medal is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and the support of his family and mentors. It is a source of pride for his village and an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country.