No better way to retire than with an Olympic medal in hand, says Indian hockey star PR Sreejesh

New Delhi: As he has got the opportunity to bow out with a Paris Olympics medal, PR Sreejesh doesn’t want that opportunity to pass.

The goalkeeper had earlier announced his intention to quit international hockey after the Paris Olympics. In his last match, India defeated Spain 2-1 to claim the bronze medal in the third-place play-off.

It was India’s second consecutive bronze medal at Olympics, an achievement the country equalled for the first time in 52 years. It was India’s fourth hockey bronze at the Games.

Sreejesh said he wouldn’t go back on his decision to retire as he is getting a winning farewell.

‘Team did a wonderful job’

“I think this is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal. We are not going home empty-handed, that’s a great thing,” he told Jio Cinema.

“I respect the sentiments of people (who may have wanted him to continue). But some decisions are hard, but taking a decision at right time makes the situation more beautiful. So, my decision stays.”

Sreejesh bid farewell to the national team after 18 years and played a pivotal role in driving India towards bronze. But he preferred to point out that it was a collective victory for the team.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as India came from behind to beat Spain. Sreejesh was also part of the India team that bagged bronze at Tokyo 2020.

“The team did a wonderful job and made this game so beautiful,” the 36-year-old said, who represented the country in over 300 matches.

“The team did a wonderful job and made this game so beautiful. Tokyo has a special place in my heart. That (bronze) gave us back the confidence that we can win medals (in Olympics).

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 PR Sreejesh retired from India duty after helping the team beat Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match at Paris Olympics.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today