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Indian Men's Hockey Team's Bronze Medal Triumph Celebrated by Sanjay's MotherKaushalya, the mother of Indian Men's Hockey player Sanjay, expressed immense pride and joy over her son's contribution to the nation's bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics. "We are delighted and proud of him. He has brought laurels to the country," she exclaimed.Upon the team's arrival at the Delhi Airport, they were greeted with a warm welcome and thunderous applause from a large crowd. Fans cheered and played dhols to honor the bronze medalists.The Indian Hockey Team's historic achievement marks back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics, a feat not accomplished in 52 years since the 1972 Munich Games. Captain Harmanpreet Singh's brace and PR Sreejesh's exceptional saves proved instrumental in securing the victory over Spain.Sreejesh, who played his final game for India, was overcome with emotion as the team celebrated their triumph. Coach Craig Fulton's guidance played a crucial role in the team's success.India's performance at the Paris Olympics was commendable, with the nation finishing 71st on the medals tally. The United States of America emerged as the top-ranked nation with 126 medals.Sanjay's mother expressed her gratitude for the support and encouragement received from the entire village. "We will celebrate and throw a party, inviting all our relatives and the entire village," she said.The Indian Men's Hockey Team's bronze medal victory is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit. They have brought pride and glory to the nation, inspiring future generations of hockey players.

The Indian Hockey Team's triumphant return to Delhi Airport on Tuesday was a testament to their remarkable achievement at the Paris Olympics. After securing a hard-fought bronze medal, the team was greeted by a jubilant crowd eager to celebrate their success.The first group of players arrived on Saturday, while the remaining members, who had stayed for the closing ceremony, touched down on Tuesday. Among those who arrived today were PR Sreejesh, Abhishek Nain, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay.Team member Sumit Valmiki expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support, saying, "It feels great. Entire India is sending us its love...You can see the atmosphere across the country...Love us more, we will perform even better. Sreejesh gave his best throughout the tournament. We won Bronze due to him..."The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics took place on Sunday night, with India finishing in 71st place on the medals tally. The United States of America topped the standings with 126 medals.India's bronze medal victory was secured by a 2-1 triumph over Spain in a thrilling match at the Yves du Manoir Stadium. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace, while PR Sreejesh's exceptional saves kept Spain at bay.Under the guidance of coach Craig Fulton, India created history by winning back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics. Singh emerged as the tournament's leading goal-scorer with 10 goals in eight matches.The victory marked India's first consecutive bronze hockey medals in 52 years, since the 1972 Munich Games. Sreejesh, who played his last game for India, was overcome with emotion as the team celebrated this momentous occasion.

India's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a mixed bag, with the contingent securing six medals, one less than their tally at the previous Olympics in Tokyo. While some athletes narrowly missed out on medals, others showcased exceptional performances.Manu Bhaker emerged as the star performer, becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics. She claimed a silver medal in the women's 10m air pistol event and a bronze medal in the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, secured a silver medal in Paris. Despite a valiant effort, he was unable to match the record-breaking performance of Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who claimed gold.The Indian men's hockey team continued their impressive Olympic run, winning their second consecutive bronze medal. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh led the team to victory over Spain in a thrilling match.Other medalists included Swapnil Kusale, who won bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3 position event, and Aman Sehrawat, who became the youngest Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal with his bronze in the 57kg freestyle wrestling event.Despite the missed opportunities, India's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 showcased the country's growing prowess in various sports. The athletes' determination and resilience will undoubtedly inspire future generations.

India's recent Olympic hockey success, with back-to-back bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, has been a remarkable achievement. Midfielder Hardik Singh, a key player in both campaigns, reflects on the significance of these medals and the journey that led to them.Hardik acknowledges that the bronze in Paris carries a bittersweet tinge. While it is a testament to the team's hard work and resilience, it also serves as a reminder of their narrow miss in the semi-final against Germany. "We were just inches away from that," he says, referring to the 3-2 defeat.Despite the disappointment, Hardik emphasizes the value of the Olympic medal. "We had seen everyone in India go crazy after we won the medal in Tokyo," he says. "We knew the importance of an Olympic medal."The team's ability to bounce back from the semi-final loss and secure bronze against Spain is a testament to their mental fortitude. Hardik credits the guidance of coach Graham Reid, who instilled a defensive structure that allowed them to protect their lead.Hardik also acknowledges the contributions of previous generations of players who paved the way for their success. "The credit for these medals goes to all the players who were a part of the Indian team since 2008," he says. "They took the hard steps, not us."Hardik's family played a significant role in his journey. His parents were present at every match in Paris, providing emotional support. "My mother was crying all the time," he recalls. "When we were leading, she was worried that we might concede. When we were trailing, she was worried that we don't concede too many goals."Hardik's hockey heritage, with his father and uncles being former international players, has instilled in him a deep appreciation for the sport. He believes that the team's success is a collective effort, spanning generations of players.As India looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Hardik remains focused on the ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal. "We want to win the gold there," he says. "That is the scar that will be there for a long time."

Indian Women's Hockey Team Celebrates Men's Bronze, Reflects on Missed Olympic OpportunityAs the Indian men's hockey team celebrated their historic bronze medal victory in Tokyo, a bittersweet feeling washed over the women's team at the SAI Bengaluru hostel. While they rejoiced in their countrymen's triumph, they couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for their own missed opportunity.The women's team had come agonizingly close to qualifying for the Paris Olympics, but their hopes were dashed by a 0-1 loss to Japan in the third-place playoff of the FIH Olympic qualifiers. The disappointment was palpable, as they had spent countless hours training and sacrificing to achieve their Olympic dream."We were overjoyed for the men's team," said Salima Tete, captain of the national women's hockey team. "But we also wished we could have been there with them."The team has since undergone a coaching change, with Harendra Singh replacing Janneke Schopman. They are now focused on preparing for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games."We came very close but didn't qualify," said Tete. "It hurts a lot. We spend months together in camp, away from family, working hard, so it's tough to come to terms with missing out on an Olympics."For Savita Punia, the 34-year-old goalkeeper, the World Cup and Asian Games are her immediate priorities. She is determined to make the most of her remaining time in the sport."For women, once we get married, family becomes a priority," said Punia. "I'm happy my husband and in-laws encourage me to pursue my career. But I don't want to think too far ahead. I just want us to win the Asian Games."Despite their disappointment, the women's team has been inspired by the men's team's success. They believe that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their own Olympic dream in 2028.

Amit Rohidas, India's defensive mainstay, endured sleepless nights after his red card in the hockey quarterfinal against Great Britain led to a one-match suspension for the semifinal. However, he expressed gratitude to his teammates for their unwavering support during this challenging time.Despite the setback, the Indian men's hockey team secured a record-extending successive bronze medal, their 13th Olympic hockey medal. Rohidas' red card in the 17th minute of the quarterfinals, which was upgraded to a red card after a video referral, resulted in his suspension for the semifinal against Germany.Reflecting on the incident, Rohidas emphasized that it was unintentional and that the referee's decision is part of the game. Despite being down to 10 men, goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh put up a heroic performance, taking the match to a shootout where he made the difference with his saves.Rohidas expressed pride in the team's ability to overcome the numerical disadvantage and defeat their opponents in the shootout. He highlighted the team's resilience and determination, noting that they had set records by beating Australia after 52 years and winning with 10 players.While acknowledging that a gold or silver medal would have been ideal, Rohidas emphasized that the team is grateful for the bronze medal. He believes that destiny plays a role and that the team is fortunate to return home with a medal.The Indian team's journey began with a rusty win over New Zealand in a tough pool A. They grew stronger with each match, culminating in a 3-2 victory over Australia in their concluding league match. The bronze medal match against Spain marked a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh, who played his last international match.Rohidas spoke about the collective leadership within the team, emphasizing that there is no single leader and that everyone contributes to the leadership role. He also highlighted the team's challenging three-day boot camp in Switzerland led by adventurer Mike Horn, which tested their physical and mental limits.

India's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a mixed bag of triumphs and disappointments. The contingent of 117 athletes aimed to surpass their record-breaking Tokyo 2020 tally, but ultimately returned with six medals: one silver and five bronze.Manu Bhaker emerged as India's first medallist, securing bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event. She made history by becoming the first Indian markswoman to win an Olympic podium finish and ending India's 12-year wait for a shooting medal. Bhaker's success continued with a second bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh.Swapnil Kusale added a third medal in shooting, winning bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions. This marked India's highest medal haul in a single sport at the Games.The Indian men's hockey team replicated their Tokyo Olympics feat, defeating Spain 2-1 to secure bronze. This was India's first back-to-back medal in men's hockey in 52 years.Neeraj Chopra became India's first track-and-field athlete to win consecutive Olympic medals, following his Tokyo gold with a silver in Paris. He also became the fifth Indian athlete with at least two Olympic medals and the third to win in back-to-back editions.India's campaign concluded with Aman Sehrawat winning bronze in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling, becoming the nation's youngest Olympic medallist.However, India narrowly missed out on six additional medals. Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the men's 10m air rifle individual final, while Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka lost by a single point in the skeet mixed team event. Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara came close to a bronze in archery but lost their playoff clash. Bhaker missed out on a third medal by a whisker in the women's 25m Rapid Air Pistol event. Lakshya Sen had two opportunities to secure a medal in men's singles badminton but fell short in both the semifinal and bronze-medal match. Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed a second Olympic medal, finishing fourth in the women's 49kg weightlifting event.Despite the missed opportunities, India's performance in Paris was their third-best outing at the Summer Games after Tokyo 2020 and London 2012. The contingent's six medals brought India's total Olympic medal count to 35.

Hockey, a sport deeply ingrained in the hearts of Indian sports enthusiasts, has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in recent years. After a period of decline, the Indian hockey team has regained its glory, culminating in a historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics 2024.Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the team showcased exceptional resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Their triumph against Australia and Great Britain, despite playing with a numerical disadvantage, stands as a testament to their unwavering spirit. This victory marks the first time since 1972 that India has won back-to-back medals at the Olympics, following their bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.Speaking to NDTV, Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from the Indian public. He emphasized the importance of team unity and the positive environment fostered by senior players. Vivek Sagar Prasad, a pivotal member of the bronze-winning side, highlighted the crucial role of team spirit and the absence of a divide between seniors and juniors.Former captain Manpreet Singh acknowledged the high expectations placed on the team after their success in Tokyo. He attributed their success to meticulous planning and the team's ability to execute it effectively. Harmanpreet urged sports enthusiasts to support players during both their triumphs and setbacks, emphasizing that no player enters a game with the intention of losing.The team's success has not only brought joy to the nation but has also garnered increased attention from rivals and fans alike. Harmanpreet noted that their victory against Great Britain in the quarter-finals drew significant attention, even from non-hockey enthusiasts.While the majority of the current team will continue to strive for further glory, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has announced his retirement. His teammates expressed their gratitude for his contributions and dedicated their medal to him. Sreejesh will now take on the role of coach for the Indian junior hockey team.The team's success is a testament to the unwavering support provided by Hockey India, the Odisha Government, and the Government of India. The upcoming Hockey India League is expected to provide a valuable platform for young players to learn from top players and coaches.

The Indian men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, returned to New Delhi on Saturday morning after securing a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The team's victory over Spain in the third-place match marked India's 13th medal in men's hockey at the Olympics, including eight golds and one silver.The bronze medal win was particularly significant as it was India's first consecutive medal in the Olympics since 1972. The team's performance throughout the tournament was commendable, with Harmanpreet emerging as the tournament's highest goal-scorer in the men's category with 10 goals.Upon their arrival at the Indira Gandhi Airport, the team was greeted with garlands and celebratory dhol beats. Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the support and encouragement the team had received throughout their journey."We have received all the support, and all our requirements were fulfilled. I really want to thank... We are very happy and proud," Harmanpreet said.He emphasized the importance of the bronze medal win for Indian hockey and the responsibility it placed on the team to continue performing at the highest level."It is a big achievement for hockey. The love that is being showered upon hockey doubles our responsibility. We will also try that whenever we enter the field, we comeback with a medal," he added.Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was named as the joint flag bearer for the closing ceremony along with Paris Games' double medallist Manu Bhaker, remained in Paris along with Amit Rohidas, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and Sanjay.The Indian men's hockey team's bronze medal win is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience. It is a moment of pride for the nation and a reminder of the potential of Indian hockey on the global stage.