PR Sreejesh Bids Farewell as India Secures Second Consecutive Olympic Bronze in Men's Hockey

Former Indian men's hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh shares his pride following India's second consecutive bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics. The Harmanpreet Singh-led team defeated Spain 2-1, marking Sreejesh's final international match. Sreejesh reflects on his career and the team's achievements.

Following his team's bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics, former Indian men's hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh expressed his pride, stating that the team has made a habit of winning the bronze medal at the Olympics. 'We won Bronze the last time too, we've made this a habit,' Sreejesh told ANI.

Sreejesh further spoke on his retirement, clarifying that it's not the end of his journey. 'It's the end of a journey. But if one leaves, several others come in. Happy that my team played for me & I'm leaving with a medal,' he added.

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side achieved a historic bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1, marking their second consecutive Olympic medal, a feat last accomplished 52 years ago. The match, held at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, was also significant as it served as Sreejesh's farewell game, his last international match.

The Indian team, under Captain Harmanpreet Singh, delivered an outstanding performance, with the captain himself scoring crucial goals in the 30th and 33rd minutes. Their victory secured the Bronze medal and solidified India's dominance in international hockey. Sreejesh was a standout, making stunning saves throughout the match. A veteran of over 300 international caps, Sreejesh featured in his fourth Olympic Games, marking an illustrious career filled with memorable wins for India.

Sreejesh, 36, played a key role in India's historic Bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and was instrumental in the team's third-place finish at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22. Awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, he became the second Indian sportsperson to win the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021. Sreejesh also won consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022. (ANI)