The goalkeeper of the Indian males’s hockey staff, Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh has shocked the world along with his efficiency on the Paris Olympics. From Kerala to Paris, here is his story.
With the Indian Males’s Hockey Group making headlines on the 2024 Paris Olympics, one title stands out among the many heroes: Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh. Identified for his distinctive expertise on the goalposts, Sreejesh has been instrumental in India’s victories over New Zealand, Argentina, Eire, and Nice Britain.
As India prepares to face Germany within the semi-finals tonight at 10:30 pm IST, the highlight is firmly on Sreejesh.
The quarterfinal towards Nice Britain marked the twenty third time Sreejesh stood in purpose for India throughout a shoot-out, securing victory on 13 events. His efficiency was so extraordinary {that a} British coach watching from the stands exclaimed, “Superman!” in awe of his skills.
Sreejesh comes from a humble background in Kizhakkambalam, a suburb of Kochi, Kerala. Born right into a farmer’s household, he was fueled by his father’s sacrifice. Recognising his expertise, his father had bought their cow to buy a hockey equipment for younger Sreejesh.
However the wrestle had simply begun for him. Sreejesh was always mocked for his appears to be like, conventional apparel (veshti) and Malayalam accent. Being instructed {that a} Kerala participant would by no means make it huge in Indian hockey, there have been occasions when he wished to surrender. However his father’s sacrifices stored him going.
Sreejesh practised day and evening, making it to the Indian junior hockey staff. He gained three Asian Video games medals, together with gold in Hangzhou 2022, which secured India’s spot within the Paris Olympics. Named FIH’s (Worldwide Hockey Federation) finest goalkeeper in 2021 and 2022, he silenced his critics along with his stellar efficiency.
A Hindustan Instances article talked about that Sreejesh believes a goalkeeper needs to be a ‘loopy individual’ and should know the artwork of intimidating. “Loopy, since you simply must have the center to face in entrance of that ball. The second factor is aggression; you have to be an aggressive individual, and people reflexes need to be there. You don’t get a lot time to simply assume, ‘Save’. No, you simply want to put it aside. Then you definitely realise, ‘Okay, I made that save’,” he had stated.
Having acted because the wall of the Indian hockey staff for over a decade, the lonely tusker is now representing India one final time on the Paris Olympics. The nation hopes for a medal as the last word farewell for its best goalkeeper.
Watch this video to be taught extra about PR Sreejesh’s journey:
Sources:
Paris 2024 Olympics: How ‘Superman’ PR Sreejesh proved to be Indian hockey’s saviour once more in thrilling win over GB: By Mihir Vasavda for The Indian Specific, printed on 5 August 2024.
‘Grew to become goalkeeper as a result of I didn’t like operating in any respect’: PR Sreejesh shares his journey: Printed in Hindustan Instances on 28 Might 2024.
Edited by Khushi Arora
