Paris, August 8, 2024: In a thrilling contest at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, the Indian men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Spain 2-1. This victory marks a historic achievement for India, as they secure back-to-back Olympic medals for the first time in 52 years, following their bronze win at Tokyo 2020.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 8, 2024
Consecutive bronze medals for team India, we defeat Spain in the Bronze Medal match.
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India 🇮🇳 2️⃣ - 1️⃣ 🇪🇸 Spain#Hockey #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #WinItForSreejesh #Paris2024 #INDvsESP@CMO_Odisha… pic.twitter.com/WlpzrZu4jh
Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the hero of the match, converting two penalty corners to give India the edge. Singh’s performance was crucial in the team’s success, and he concluded the tournament with an impressive tally of 11 goals, including the decisive ones in the bronze medal match.
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, playing his final match for India, delivered a stellar performance with extraordinary saves, particularly denying Spanish captain Marc Miralles from penalty corners. As the final whistle blew, Indian players rushed to Sreejesh, celebrating his remarkable career and bidding farewell to the 36-year-old in style.
Reflecting on the victory, India captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed mixed emotions. "We wanted to win the gold for our country," he stated. "While we came close, winning gold was not in our fate this time. However, I believe Indian hockey is on the rise, and this bronze is a testament to our hard work and progress. We apologize for not winning gold, but we promise to keep pushing forward."
Former India captain Manpreet Singh highlighted the team’s dedication to PR Sreejesh, emphasizing the bond and camaraderie shared over their years playing together. "We’ve been through a lot in the past 13 years, and this medal is a tribute to Sreejesh’s dedication and resilience," said Manpreet.
The Indian team’s victory adds another chapter to their storied Olympic history, reminiscent of their back-to-back medal wins in 1968 and 1972. The triumph in Paris not only secures India’s place on the podium but also fuels hopes for continued success and growth in the realm of international hockey.