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Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian hockey team's captain, faced intense scrutiny after India's disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup. Despite leading 3-1 at one point, India lost 3-3 (4-5) to New Zealand in the crossover match, resulting in their worst-ever finish as a host nation.Harmanpreet, who had scored only once in four games, took the blame for the loss. However, he remained confident and worked tirelessly to improve his conversion rate. With the support of assistant coach Shivendra Singh, he spent extra hours practicing against top goalkeepers like PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak.Harmanpreet's determination paid off as he led India to gold at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, becoming the tournament's highest scorer with nine goals. His 13 goals at the 2023 Asian Games helped India secure a direct ticket to the Paris Olympics.In the 2022-23 Pro League, Harmanpreet emerged as the highest scorer with 18 goals. He continued his impressive form in the 2023-24 edition, scoring 12 goals. However, the true test of his abilities came at the Olympics.At the 2023 World Cup, opposition teams had effectively neutralized Harmanpreet's penalty corner threat. However, India's chief coach Craig Fulton and Harmanpreet had devised a counter-strategy for Paris.Fulton instructed the forwards to enter the circle and attempt to score. If unsuccessful, they were to draw a penalty corner and allow Harmanpreet to take the shot. This strategy proved highly effective, as India scored 15 goals in eight matches in Paris, with Harmanpreet contributing an incredible 10.Harmanpreet's exceptional composure and decision-making were crucial to India's success. He analyzed the opposition's tactics and exploited their weaknesses. Against Spain, he noticed that goalkeeper Luiz Calzado tended to stay in the center, so he fired two low shots that secured India's second consecutive Olympic bronze medal.Harmanpreet's journey from despair to redemption is a testament to his resilience and determination. After the disappointment of the World Cup, he worked tirelessly to improve his game and led India to Olympic glory.

Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian hockey team, embodies the spirit of sacrifice and dedication that drives India's sporting aspirations. Despite spending up to 10 months of the year away from his family, training and competing, Harmanpreet remains unwavering in his commitment to his country."India comes first," he declares. "I understand and my family understands it. All this sacrifice and time away from them is for India and for them... they know it well."Harmanpreet's determination was evident in the recent Paris Olympics, where he led the Indian hockey team to a bronze medal. While the team fell short of their goal of a gold medal, Harmanpreet remains optimistic. "We are not satisfied with the color of the medal we want to make it brighter... we will go for gold," he said.The bronze medal victory against Spain marked India's eighth win in 11 Olympic encounters with the European team. Overall, India has triumphed in 32 of 72 matches against Spain, with 26 victories for Spain and 14 draws.Harmanpreet's leadership has been instrumental in fostering a united and resilient team. Despite the disappointment of wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification in the wrestling final, the hockey team drew inspiration from former captain PS Sreejesh's final game."We had to win this for him," said Harmanpreet. "He has been a great leader and a great friend."Harmanpreet's gratitude for the opportunity to represent India is palpable. "I am very lucky to be playing for India," he said. "I am very happy to be leading a team that is united and packed with leaders."

The Indian men's hockey team's historic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics has ignited a wave of pride across the nation, particularly in the state of Odisha, which has been instrumental in the sport's resurgence.Odisha's association with Indian hockey began in 2018 when the state government, led by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, became the official sponsor of the men's and women's teams. This partnership came at a crucial time when the sport faced financial challenges following the withdrawal of Sahara as the primary sponsor.Patnaik, a former hockey goalkeeper, has been a driving force behind the state's commitment to the sport. Under his leadership, Odisha has invested heavily in hockey infrastructure, including the construction of the world's largest hockey stadium in Rourkela. The state has also hosted several international tournaments, providing the Indian teams with invaluable experience and exposure.The state's support has extended beyond financial assistance. Odisha has become a hub for hockey development, with grassroots programs and academies nurturing young talent. The state's commitment to the sport has earned it the reputation as the "hockey capital" of India.Patnaik's personal connection to hockey adds an emotional dimension to Odisha's involvement. He has been a vocal supporter of the teams and has played a key role in promoting the sport at the national and international levels.The Indian men's hockey team's success at the Paris Olympics is a testament to the transformative impact of Odisha's support. The state's long-term commitment to the sport has created a conducive environment for the teams to thrive and achieve their full potential.As India celebrates this historic achievement, much of the credit goes to Odisha for its unwavering dedication to nurturing and promoting hockey. The state's continued support is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of Indian hockey, ensuring its continued growth and success on the global stage.

In the hallowed halls of the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris, the curtain fell on the illustrious career of Indian hockey legend P.R. Sreejesh. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, a stalwart of the Indian team for two decades, bid farewell to the sport he had dedicated his life to.Sreejesh's journey began in the non-hockey state of Kerala. Driven by an unyielding passion, he rose through the ranks, becoming a beacon of hope for aspiring hockey players from his home state. His international debut came in 2006, and he quickly established himself as one of the world's finest goalkeepers.Over the years, Sreejesh witnessed the highs and lows of Indian hockey. He was part of the team that failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, a crushing blow for the nation. But he remained steadfast, his determination unwavering.In 2012, India reached the quarterfinals of the Olympics, a testament to Sreejesh's leadership and skill. Four years later, in Rio, India finished eighth, but Sreejesh's heroics in goal earned him the respect of the hockey world.The pinnacle of Sreejesh's career came in Tokyo in 2020. After a 41-year medal drought, India secured a bronze, with Sreejesh playing a pivotal role. His emotional celebration atop the goalpost became an iconic image, symbolizing the resurgence of Indian hockey.In Paris, Sreejesh repeated his Tokyo heroics, leading India to another bronze medal. His final act on the international stage was a fitting tribute to his unwavering spirit and dedication.As Sreejesh bowed out, he left behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. His aggressive style of goalkeeping, coupled with his ability to motivate his teammates, made him a true legend of the sport.

After a thrilling 2-1 victory over Spain, India secured the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, marking their 13th Olympic medal in men's hockey and fourth bronze. Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his gratitude and called for continued support for the team.Reflecting on the tournament, Harmanpreet acknowledged the disappointment of their semi-final loss to Germany but praised his team's resilience. "Medal is medal. Both medals are big, I think in terms of Indian hockey, we are going up again, showing that we can beat any team in the world," he said.Harmanpreet emphasized the team's commitment to restoring Indian hockey to its former glory. "India's history in hockey is huge. We are trying to get us back to the top again. It is my humble plea that please support us and we will definitely do better next time," he added.While expressing regret for not winning gold, Harmanpreet expressed satisfaction with the team's medal performance. "This is a big achievement for us. One has to wait for Olympics for four years. Our mentality is that we want to win always. We wanted to win gold and people believed in us that we can win gold, and for that, I apologize. We could have done it, but we just fell short. But we have won back-to-back medals, and that is a big achievement for India," he said.Harmanpreet specifically lauded goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, whose outstanding performance in the bronze medal match was pivotal. "There are kids in our team, who are younger than PR Sreejesh's career. He has been with us for such a long time and he has made India proud. It was an emotional moment for the team and we wanted to dedicate this tournament to PR Sreejesh," he concluded.

India's men's hockey team capped off a remarkable Olympic campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Spain, securing the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, August 8, 2024. The triumph marks a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who is playing his final international tournament.The match started with Spain dominating possession and earning a penalty stroke, which they converted to take an early lead. However, India responded with determination, led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh. Singh converted two penalty corners in the third quarter, giving India a crucial 2-1 advantage.India's defense, anchored by Sreejesh, stood firm in the face of relentless Spanish pressure. The team's goalkeeper made several crucial saves, denying Spain any chance to equalize. The Indian midfield and forwards also played a vital role, controlling possession and creating scoring opportunities.The bronze medal is a testament to India's resilience and fighting spirit. After a disappointing start to the tournament, the team rallied together and produced some of their best performances in the latter stages. The victory also marks India's fourth bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics, following their triumphs in 1972, 1980, and 2016.For Sreejesh, the bronze medal is a fitting end to an illustrious career. The 39-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Indian hockey team for over a decade, inspiring a generation of players. His leadership and experience were invaluable throughout the tournament, and his performance in the bronze medal match was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport.

The Indian hockey team, despite falling short of their gold medal aspirations, will strive to replicate their Tokyo 2020 performance and secure a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team has showcased exceptional dominance throughout their campaign, defeating Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. They narrowly lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals but triumphed over Great Britain in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the semifinals.In the semifinals, India faced reigning world champions Germany. Despite the absence of key defender Amit Rohidas due to a controversial red card, the team played with determination and matched the Germans' intensity. However, they ultimately fell behind in the final six minutes of the match.A medal at the Paris Olympics would provide a significant boost to India's campaign, which has been marked by misfortune and several fourth-place finishes. The team's last Olympic medal came on August 1, 1980, and all eyes will be on them to break the drought and provide a fitting farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

Day 13 of the Paris Olympics promises to be a pivotal day for India, with Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, set to defend his title in the final. Chopra's impressive qualification throw of 89.34m on his first attempt has positioned him as the frontrunner in the event. If successful, he will become only the fifth man in Olympic javelin throw history to retain the title and the first Indian to win multiple gold medals in singles events.Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team will face Spain in the bronze medal match after a narrow 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-final. Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates will be determined to secure a podium finish for the second consecutive Olympics.In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat and Anshu Malik will begin their campaigns in the round of 16 matches in the men's 57kg freestyle and women's 57kg freestyle categories, respectively.Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's individual strokeplay round 2 golf event.

India's Paris Olympics 2024 Schedule: Day 6 Brings Hope and AnticipationDay 6 of the Paris Olympics 2024 holds immense promise for India, offering a chance to redeem the disappointment of previous days. The Indian men's hockey team faces Germany in a crucial semi-final match, while celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat takes to the mat. The spotlight, however, will be on Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in javelin throw.Chopra, who made history as India's first Olympic gold medalist in athletics, has continued his dominance since his Tokyo triumph. He has emerged victorious in the World Championship, Asian Games, and Diamond League finals. On Tuesday, he will begin his Olympic campaign in Qualification Group B at 15:20 IST.An hour earlier, Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Kumar Jena will aim to qualify for the final in Men's Javelin Throw Qualification Group A at 13:50 IST. The day will commence with the men's table tennis team of Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, and Achanta Sharath Kamal launching their campaign in the Quarterfinals of the Men's Team Competition.In athletics, Kiran Pahal will compete in the Women's 400m Repechage at 2.50 pm IST. Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling star, will face Japan's Yui Susaki in the Women's 50kg Round of 16 at 2.30 pm IST.