Sreejesh Reflects on a Heartfelt Olympic Journey: From Tokyo Triumph to Paris Emotion

Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh treasures his Tokyo bronze medal more than his Paris medal, despite the latter being his final international achievement. He expresses a sense of unfulfilled potential in Paris but cherishes the heartfelt farewell from his teammates and his role as India's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony.

Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh, the proud owner of two consecutive Olympic medals, opens up about his fondness for the bronze won in Tokyo three years ago as opposed to the one claimed in Paris. For Sreejesh, the Tokyo victory was a dream come true after decades of anticipation and hearing about the historical significance of Olympic medals.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper, who retired following India's campaign in Paris, expressed slight disappointment with the medal's color this time, acknowledging that the team had the potential for a better finish. 'In Tokyo, we weren't sure about winning a medal, but this time we were among the top six and capable of beating any team. It should have been a gold,' he noted.

Sreejesh also reminisced about the heartfelt farewell given by his teammates, which included emotional moments like sitting on the goalpost and being carried on the shoulders of skipper Harmanpreet Singh. The Paris bronze marked India's 13th Olympic medal in hockey and its first back-to-back medals since 1972. Sreejesh's final Olympics saw him honored as the flag-bearer for the closing ceremony.

(With inputs from agencies.)