Thirteen years after failing to qualify for the Games, a Indian hockey team stood on the podium, something that had become a mythological tale of a bygone era for an entire generation.
It was India’s 12th Olympic hockey medal but came after a gap of 41 years. It was India’s fifth medal of the ongoing Games and perhaps the most emotional reaction.
To put it in context, the last time India won a hockey medal at the Olympics, the USSR was still in existence.
Thursday morning, Manpreet Singh And his men went ahead, overtook, overtook, and to an extent, bore the brunt of the setbacks by beating an aggressive German team 5-4 and proclaimed as the generation of Indian hockey’s “rebirth”, before that someone knew it.
An overwhelmed Manpreet said after the win, “…we didn’t give up. We kept fighting back.”
In a cricket-crazy India, hockey has always been a passionate sport, making the common man nostalgic about a glorious past, which is studded with eight Olympic gold medals.
And given its decline over the years, it was only fitting that the nation celebrated with enthusiasm.
Dahiya added to the celebration with a silver medal in the men’s 57kg category.
He lost in the final to defending world champion Zavur Uguev of the Russian Olympic Committee with a silver medal, second only by an Indian wrestler.
There was also good news coming from the golf course, where Aditi Ashok set herself up for a podium finish with a five-under 66 in the second round, finishing second at the end of the day’s play.
But there was a lot of disappointment too, the biggest star was the wrestler. Vinesh Phogat.
After a decent win in the opening round, she lost in the quarterfinals to Vanessa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus. Her medal hopes were dashed when Kaladzinskaya failed to make the final.
19 year old Deepak Punia | (86 kg) moved closer to the bronze medal, but gave San Marino’s Miles Nazem Amin the lead with only seconds left in the bout.
But nothing could dampen the excitement of the cricket-crazy country’s passionate favorite hockey medal.
Simranjit Singh (17th, 34th) scored a goal while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) also raised the board’s call to immortalize themselves and the team. Of.
“Today when we won it, it encourages and gives energy to youngsters to take up hockey, play this sport,” said PR Sreejesh, a 35-year-old veteran.
“It’s a beautiful game. Now we’re giving them a reason to take up hockey, play sports.”
Away from the limelight, India’s race walkers faced a typical outing.
National record holder Sandeep Kumar was consolidating in second place by close to half a point, but he finished 23rd with a less-than-par time.
The 35-year-old Kumar crossed the finish line in 1 hour 25 minutes and 7 seconds, which was outside his national record time of 1:20:16, which he set to qualify for the Olympics during the National Open Race Walk Championships in February. had seen for. in Ranchi.
Two of his other compatriots, Rahul Rohilla (1:32:06) and KT Irfan (1:34:41), returned to the 47th and 51st places with disappointing performances in hot and humid conditions.
On Friday, the Indian women’s hockey team will look to emulate their men’s counterparts when they take on Great Britain in the bronze medal playoff.
Rani Rampal and her courageous teammates have already exceeded all expectations by going this far, but within walking distance of their first Olympic medal, they will hope to raise the bar for the last time at the Games.
All eyes will be on Bajrang Punia on the wrestling mat when he begins his campaign in the 65kg category. The famous wrestler is the top medal contender for the country.
Among women, Seema Bisla (50kg) will stake her claim for the podium finish.
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