PR Sreejesh signs off on a high as India clinch hockey bronze at Paris Olympics 2024

New Delhi: Indian goal-keeper PR Sreejesh ended his career on a high as the Indian hockey team won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 after defeating Spain by 2-1 on Thursday, August 8. Marc Miralles scored the first goal for Spain in the 18th minute but captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals for India from the penalty corners in the 30th and 33rd minute and helped the team to win the match.

Team India started their Paris Olympics campaign with a 3-2 victory against New Zealand while the match against Argentina ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Men in Blue defeated Ireland by 2-0 in their third Pool match. Harmanpreet and Co. defeated Belgium and Australia in their last two Pool matches. Team India defeated Great Britain by 4-2 in the shootout but lost against Germany by 3-2 in the semi-final and missed out on a chance to reach the Olympic final for the first time in 44 years.

Earlier, the Indian goal-keeper announced his retirement from hockey after the Paris Olympics and thanked his family, teammates, coaches and fans for the support.

“As I stand on the threshold of my final chapter in international hockey, my heart swells with gratitude and reflection. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, team-mates, coaches and fans. As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support… Thank you for believing in me.” PR Sreejesh wrote on X.

PR Sreejesh Career

Sreejesh made his senior debut in 2006 and has been part of several memorable victories of Team India. He saved two penalty strokes against Pakistan at the Asian Games 2014 final and helped the team to win the gold medal.

He was also part of the team which clinched the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He was awarded the ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ award in the Champions Trophy 2014 and 2018.

He became the captain of the India hockey team in July 2016, taking over from Sardar Singh. He led the team to the quarter-final of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sreejesh also played a key role in defeating Germany to win the bronze medal for India after 41 years at the Tokyo Olympics.

He was also part of the team which clinched Gold medal in the 2022 Asian Games and 2023 Champions Trophy. In 2017, he was awarded the Arjuna Award and in 2019 he was awarded the Padma Shri Award for his outstanding contributions to hockey.

PR Sreejesh was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. He is only the second sportsperson from India to win the award of World Games Athlete of the Year in 2021. Sreejesh also won back-to-back FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

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 PR Sreejesh ended his career on a high as the Indian hockey team defeated Spain in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today