World Cup Medal Is My Next Target, Says Hockey Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh After Tokyo 2020 High

P R Sreejesh is in the twilight of his job, but the veteran Indian hockey goalkeeper is in no mood to call it quits whenever before long as he is eyeing a Earth Cup medal to add to his Tokyo Olympics bronze right before deciding the foreseeable future study course of his job. Sreejesh, who designed his senior crew debut in 2006, is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in world hockey. Sreejesh, who captained the countrywide workforce to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics, was also a part of the 2014 gold medal-profitable Asian Games squad but his most cherished desire was fulfilled in very last year’s Tokyo Olympics when India gained a historic bronze following a hiatus of 41 yrs.

But the senior custodian is continue to not glad as he aims to acquire a World Cup medal upcoming yr before using a simply call on his upcoming, which incorporates the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The Olympic medal was a aspiration but I however have a likelihood to greater the colour of the medal. 2022 is really significant for us which starts with the FIH Professional League and then we have the Commonwealth Game titles and the Asian Video games,” mentioned Sreejesh, who grew to become only the 2nd Indian following women’s staff skipper Rani Rampal to acquire the ‘World Online games Athlete of the Year’ award.

“The Asian Game titles will give us a immediate berth in the Paris Olympics, so there is as an added drive. In the very last World Cup, we could not qualify for the semifinals, so successful a medal in the Earth Cup will total my goal.” For Sreejesh, location quick-expression ambitions is his priority now, expressing the day he feels lack of enthusiasm towards the game, he will not wait to phone it quits.

“Our aim now is on the upcoming Olympic cycle which starts this calendar year. Initially we have the Pro League which will assist in developing a sturdy foundation for us.

“For a goalkeeper, age is not a large barrier. It really is about how passionate you are about the video game. Personally, I am not setting any extended-phrase goal. My brief-phrase target future is the World Cup to be held in India,” he stated.

Requested what continue to drives him to wake up every morning and go by the grind, Sreejesh claimed: “Sporting the blue jersey is not attainable for everyone. Only a blessed human being receives that possibility but for that, you require to operate difficult and that is what gives you the drive.” Sreejesh will be returning to the Indian workforce in the approaching FIH Professional League matches versus South Africa and France to be held Potchefstroom from February 8 to 13 right after a hiatus of six months.

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And the knowledgeable goalkeeper reported the crack helped him re-energise just after the Tokyo Olympics.

“The crack was considerably-needed. It helped me develop a bond with my household. We went for a vacation and the little ones appreciated a whole lot. I shell out some high quality time with my relatives. The holiday was a rejuvenating practical experience for me,” Sreejesh explained.