Paris Olympics 2024: Goalkeeper Sreejesh PR ends illustrious hockey career with bronze medal win for India

A few hours before team India took the field in the bronze-medal playoff in the men’s hockey category, goalkeeper Sreejesh PR took to social media to announce that the match would be his last match for the country. And boy did he have a last dance on August 8, with the team winning 2-1 against Spain and winning bronze yet again, four years after they managed a similar feat at the Olympic Games.

Sreejesh bids adieu to international hockey

“This is the best way to end the tournament… with a medal… you are not returning empty-handed,” said Sreejesh after the match, adding that some decisions are hard, but taking it at the right moment is what makes it beautiful.

In his farewell note, Sreejesh wrote that as he preps to stand between the goalpost for one last time, his heart swells with gratitude and pride. His journey from being young boy from Kerala, where hockey is not a culture, and following his dreams and becoming the man who would defend India’s honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary, he wrote.

Sreejesh, dubbed The Wall of Indian hockey, added, “Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories. Forever a custodian of dreams.”

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The team dedicated the win and the medal to Sreejesh, who effected several saves along the way during the 2024 Olympic journey. Sreejesh has been on the senior national team since 2006 and is a three-time Olympian. He was the skipper when India ended its medal drought in the sport winning a bronze in Tokyo.

After all the joy of yet another medal addition to India’s tally, all eyes are now on Neeraj Chopra, who will take the field in a few hours in the men’s javelin throw final, where he will look at defending his Olympic champion title.