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PR Sreejesh: A Legend Inspiring the Next Generation of Indian Hockey PlayersJust-retired Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring countless aspiring hockey players across the nation. His teammates, upon returning from the Paris Olympics with a second consecutive bronze medal, hailed Sreejesh as a true legend whose contributions will continue to shape the future of Indian hockey."Sreejesh is the epitome of a legend," said forward Lalit Upadhyay. "He's the 'Great Wall' of India, and his exceptional skills and unwavering dedication have set an unparalleled standard for goalkeepers. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire the next generation to strive for greatness."Upadhyay also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support hockey has received from the Indian public. "The love and passion for hockey in our country is unwavering," he said. "It's a testament to the enduring spirit of the sport and the unwavering support of our fans."Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who emerged as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, was also lauded for his exceptional leadership and performance. "Harmanpreet has earned the nickname 'Sarpanch' for his exceptional leadership qualities," said Upadhyay. "He's a true captain who has led by example, inspiring his teammates to achieve their full potential."Defender Jarmanpreet Singh echoed Upadhyay's sentiments, praising Sreejesh's legendary status. "Sreejesh is a true icon," he said. "His contributions to Indian hockey are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."Jarmanpreet also acknowledged Harmanpreet's remarkable performance in the tournament. "Harmanpreet is our team's 'goal machine,'" he said. "His ability to score crucial goals has been instrumental in our success."Reflecting on the team's fighting spirit, Upadhyay recalled the quarterfinal match against Great Britain, where India played with only 10 men for over 40 minutes. "That match showcased the true character of our team," he said. "We never gave up, and our determination ultimately led us to victory."As Sreejesh embarks on a new chapter in his life, his teammates wished him well. "I wish Sreejesh all the best in his future endeavors," said Jarmanpreet. "He has been an incredible mentor and teammate, and his contributions to Indian hockey will never be forgotten."

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.

Aneeshya Sreejesh, the wife of legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, is experiencing a bittersweet mix of emotions following her husband's retirement from international hockey. While she is overjoyed that he will have more time at home, she is also saddened by the loss of his galvanizing presence on the field.Sreejesh, who was a key member of the Indian men's hockey team that clinched a second successive bronze medal at the Olympic Games, played his final match for India in the third-place playoff against Spain. His retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that spanned over a decade and included numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.Aneeshya, a former long-jumper and Ayurveda doctor, expressed her conflicting emotions. "As a fan, I will definitely miss him on the field, but as his wife, I will get more of his time. So I am happy and sad at the same time," she said.She is eagerly awaiting Sreejesh's return home, where she plans to prepare his favorite traditional Kerala meals. "He loves it so much and I know he must be craving it," she said.The family is planning a grand welcome for Sreejesh, who has been a role model for the young brigade of Indian hockey. "There were around 50 people here. Everyone congratulated us and it is a moment of immense pride that we won two consecutive medals in the Olympics," Aneeshya said.Not many know that Sreejesh used three special sticks in the Paris Olympics, each with the names of his children and wife written on them. In the quarterfinal match against Britain, he used the stick with Aneeshya's name on it."He has three sticks for the Paris games...One for penalty shootout and two for regular games. For regular matches, he used the sticks with our kids' names Anushree and Sriyansh written on them," she said. "For the shootout, he used the stick with my name written on it and it also has my favorite color."Aneeshya revealed that Sreejesh will soon make a decision about his future plans. "His focus was only on the Paris Olympics only till now but now the Games are over. He will tell about future plans in due course of time," she said.She also shared a valuable lesson she has learned from her husband. "I have learnt positivity from Sreejesh. He always tells me that ups and downs will be there in life...He says that don't think about the past and always look forward. Whatever happened has happened and the best way is to look ahead," she said.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be the joint flagbearer with pistol shooter Manu Bhaker at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This decision was made after extensive deliberation within the IOA leadership, including Chef de Mission Gagan Narang, and the entire Indian contingent.IOA president PT Usha praised Sreejesh's contributions to Indian hockey and sport in general, spanning over two decades. She highlighted his exceptional service and dedication to the nation. Usha also acknowledged the support of javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, for his graciousness in agreeing to Sreejesh's appointment as flagbearer.Chopra's endorsement of Sreejesh reflects the immense respect he holds for the hockey goalkeeper's achievements and contributions to Indian sport. Usha emphasized that Chopra's willingness to step aside for Sreejesh is a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect among Indian athletes.The IOA had previously named Manu Bhaker as the female flagbearer after she became the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympic Games since India's independence. Bhaker won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol women's event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event.Sreejesh's selection as joint flagbearer is a fitting recognition of his outstanding career and his role as a role model for aspiring athletes. His presence at the closing ceremony will serve as an inspiration to the Indian contingent and the nation as a whole.

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has bid farewell to international hockey on a high note, helping India secure a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo. The 36-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement before the Games, and his final match was a fitting tribute to his illustrious career.In a thrilling third-place play-off, India defeated Spain 2-1, with Sreejesh playing a pivotal role. He made several crucial saves throughout the match, including a penalty shootout stop that sealed the victory."This is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal," said Sreejesh after the match. "We are not going home empty-handed, that's a great thing."Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey. He has been a mainstay in the team for over a decade, and his leadership and experience have been invaluable. He was part of the bronze-winning team in Tokyo in 2020, and his performance in Paris was equally impressive."The team did a wonderful job and made this game so beautiful," said Sreejesh. "Tokyo has a special place in my heart. That (bronze) gave us back the confidence that we can win medals (in Olympics)."Sreejesh's legacy as India's greatest goalkeeper is secure. He has played over 300 matches for his country, and his contributions have been immense. He has been a role model for young players and an inspiration to the entire nation.

In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Paris Olympics, veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh played a pivotal role in his team's 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Great Britain. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Sreejesh making several crucial saves to keep India in the game.Sreejesh, who is playing in his last international tournament, was the star of the show. He denied Great Britain numerous scoring opportunities, including a penalty stroke in the second half. In the penalty shootout, he saved two shots to help India secure the win."It's a daily job of a goalie," Sreejesh said after the match. "Some days it's a different effort, but today is our day. Even in the shootout, the guys who took shots didn't disappoint."India played with great determination and unity, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Sreejesh said it was a "do-or-die" situation for him, and he was ready to give it his all."When I stepped on this field today, there were two options for me," he said. "This can be my last match, or I got an opportunity for two more matches, and I think, yeah, I got two more matches now."Sreejesh said India will focus on their own game in the semifinals. "Whoever comes in the semis, we (will) just play our game," he said. "That's it, that's important, because now it's a different game, because we are one man down and we need to focus on that now."India will wait for the FIH's decision on the red card shown to Amit Rohidas with more than 40 minutes left in the game. "I don't know how it's going to be," Sreejesh said. "They must take a decision on that. We are just waiting for that, but still, we need to play our best game in the semifinals."

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh, a stalwart in the national team for over a decade, has announced his retirement after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The announcement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey, as Sreejesh has been a pivotal figure in the team's resurgence on the international stage.Sreejesh, who made his senior debut in 2006, has been a cornerstone of the Indian defense, renowned for his exceptional reflexes and leadership skills. He played a crucial role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the team's first Olympic medal in 41 years.Beyond his on-field achievements, Sreejesh has also been a mentor and inspiration to younger players. Harmanpreet Singh, the current captain of the men's team, credits Sreejesh's guidance for his own development."He has been an inspiration for all of us," said Harmanpreet. "We want to 'Win it for Sreejesh' and we are all the more encouraged to stand on the podium once again."Sreejesh's retirement announcement has been met with an outpouring of gratitude and admiration from the hockey community. He has expressed his heartfelt thanks to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career."This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Sreejesh. "I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans."As Sreejesh prepares for his final international tournament, the Indian team is determined to give him a fitting send-off. They have dedicated their Paris 2024 campaign to the legendary goalkeeper, aiming to win another Olympic medal in his honor.

PR Sreejesh's illustrious career has been intertwined with the resurgence of Indian men's hockey. After the team's dismal failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sreejesh emerged as a beacon of hope during a tumultuous period.London 2012: A Disappointing DebutSreejesh's Olympic debut in London 2012 proved to be a bitter disappointment. India lost all their group stage matches, finishing bottom of the pile with a dismal goal difference of -11. The team's struggles were evident, and the future seemed bleak.Rio 2016: A Glimmer of HopeFollowing the London debacle, Sreejesh became a pivotal figure in the Indian dressing room. The team's fortunes improved, winning the Asian Games gold medal in 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2015 FIH Hockey World League Final. Sreejesh was appointed captain ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, where India recorded two group stage wins and reached the quarterfinals.Tokyo 2020: A Historic TriumphIndia entered the Tokyo Olympics with high expectations but also a history of underperformance. A 7-1 thrashing by Australia in their opening match raised concerns. However, the team rallied, winning all their subsequent group stage matches. Sreejesh's leadership and vocal presence were instrumental in India's resurgence.In the semifinals, India faced eventual gold medallists Belgium and lost. But in the bronze medal match against Germany, the team displayed remarkable resilience, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-4. Sreejesh's Olympic dream was finally realized, and Indian hockey fans celebrated their first Olympic medal since 1980.

Veteran goalkeeper and former India hockey captain P R Sreejesh has announced that the Paris Olympics will be his final international outing. The 36-year-old, a veteran of 328 International caps, three Olympic Games, and multiple Commonwealth Games and World Cups, will be playing in his fourth Olympic Games. The latest edition of the showpiece begins on July 26."As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope," Sreejesh said in a Hockey India press release."This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, fans, and Hockey India. Thank you for believing in me," he added."My teammates have stood beside me through the tough and the ardent times. We all want to give our absolute best here in Paris and certainly, the desire is to change the color of our medal."Having made his debut at the 2010 World Cup, Sreejesh has been a part of various memorable wins for India, including gold in the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang. He was also there in the joint-winning team of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, besides the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals champion side in Bhubaneswar.Sreejesh's announcement comes as no surprise, as he has been contemplating retirement for some time now. He had earlier hinted that he might hang up his boots after the Tokyo Olympics, but decided to continue for one more year to help India qualify for the Paris Games.With Sreejesh's retirement, India will lose one of its most experienced and decorated players. He has been a key member of the Indian team for over a decade and has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Sreejesh's legacy will be defined by his exceptional goalkeeping skills, his leadership qualities, and his dedication to the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the international hockey rankings.