[Watch] PR Sreejesh receives hero's welcome on return to India from Paris Olympics 2024
The toast of the country, PR Sreejesh, has returned to India from a successful campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024. The veteran goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team was received at the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi today (August 13) amid much fanfare.
Sreejesh arrived during the morning hours and was received with a welcome as grand as any. The 36-year-old was greeted with garlands, loud cheers and drum rolls as he exited the airport. Sreejesh and the Indian hockey team won the bronze medal at the Summer Games in Paris.
In a video posted by Hockey India on X (Twitter), the Indian goalkeeper can be seen brimming with joy as he walks out to a huge crowd of Indian fans. Sreejesh was accompanied by a few other members of the Indian hockey contingent.
Watch their arrival here:
The majority of the Indian team, including their captain, Harmanpreet Singh, had arrived back to the country on August 10. Since Sreejesh was one of India's flag-bearers at the closing ceremony, he made the return journey post the conclusion of the ceremony in Paris. Double bronze medal-winning shooter Manu Bhaker was the other flag-bearer.
PR Sreejesh lives up to the 'Wall of India' tag at Paris Olympics 2024
The former captain of the Indian hockey team, PR Sreejesh, showed why he is lovingly called the 'Wall of India'. Such was his dominance inside the Indian goal, that not much could go past him right through the Paris Olympics 2024.
Sreejesh became a household name after putting in an incredible performance game after game. He saved a total of 50 goals out of the 62 shots he faced.
The Kerala-born player added a special leaf to his long illustrious career with an impeccable show in the quarter-final of the tournament. PR Sreejesh was instrumental in India winning the penalty shootout 4-2 against Great Britain in the said match.
The senior pro, who is now retired from the sport, received an emotional farewell from his teammates after their bronze-medal win on August 8.