Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of India, lifted his teammate PR Sreejesh on his shoulders at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir after India won the bronze medal in the men’s hockey event at the Paris Olympics 2024. The entire Indian team also bowed down to the legendary goalkeeper after he took part in his final international hockey match against Spain, winning it 2-1.
Before the start of the Paris Olympics 2024, PR Sreejesh had announced his retirement from international hockey, set to happen after the men’s event. He performed exceptionally well for India right throughout the Olympics, making massive saves in the pool stage and the knockout rounds, to win back-to-back bronze medals for India.
Known as “The Great Wall of Indian Hockey,” PR Sreejesh also got a fitting tribute from his teammates, who bowed down to him after the conclusion of the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024. The win over Spain marked the end of the illustrious 18-year career of the Kerala-born player in international hockey.
In the post-match interview, PR Sreejesh was happy to win the bronze medal for India and said, as per India.Com, “I think this is the better way to finish. We are not going home empty handed and thanks to everyone for the support. We have done a wonderful job and the players also did the wonderful job.”
“I respect their (fans) love but sometimes some decisions are hard. And those hard decisions make these moments beautiful,” remarked the 36-year-old about his decision to retire from international hockey.