Latest news with #Men'sFIHProLeague
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Olympic medal transformed our lives, says UP hockey stars
1 2 3 Lucknow: Winning an Olympic medal is no easy feat and demands unwavering dedication, relentless grit, and years of hard work. To represent the nation on the world's grandest sporting stage and to hold aloft the tricolour is an honour few achieve and those who do find their lives changed forever. On the occasion of Olympic Day, ToI spoke to two hockey Olympians from Uttar Pradesh, who shared how winning an Olympic medal became a turning point in their lives. "My achievement sparked pride and admiration — not just for me, but also for my family and community," said two-time Olympian Lalit Upadhyay. "After winning a medal, you realize the emotions and expectations attached to it. It's not just us who celebrate — the entire country erupts in a mix of happiness and pride. The Olympic medal has transformed my life. We were showered with prize money, financial rewards, and govt aid, along with public affection. Most significantly, the feeling of having done something historic for the country is priceless," said Lalit "I used to only hear stories about winning Olympic medals in hockey, but actually achieving one filled me with immense pride. Upon returning with the medal, I could see the same urge and ambition in children's eyes — a desire to compete in the Olympics and win medals for India," he said. "On a personal front, I received substantial financial rewards from the central and state govts, along with a job that provided financial stability for me and my family. What more could you ask for?" he added. "Winning an Olympic medal brought unprecedented recognition and respect. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo People in our community began to see me as a role model," said Paris Olympic bronze medallist Raj Kumar Pal. Pal said the biggest change in his life after winning an Olympic medal was the shift in people's attitudes toward him. "Neighbours now treat me with much more respect, and my family is happier due to our improved financial situation. Initially, people in my village didn't fully understand what it meant to be an Olympian — even after I won the medal. It was only when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath came to honour me that they realised I had achieved something significant. Now, I receive respect from everyone — a stark contrast to before, when very few acknowledged me," he said. "My village, Karampur, is now called a hockey nursery, and every budding player dreams of becoming an Olympian. That's the greatest motivation," Pal added. When asked about preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Pal said, "Currently, we are playing in the Men's FIH Pro League, but the focus remains on the Olympics. The priority is to stay fit and in form to secure a place in the team. Having won bronze medals in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, we aim to change the colour of the medal in Los Angeles."
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Australia fire six past Ireland in FIH Pro League
Australia 6-1 Ireland Ireland suffered another Men's FIH Pro League defeat on Tuesday, as reigning FIH Pro League champions Australia showed their class in a 6-1 victory. Following a tight first half in Antwerp, three quick goals in the third quarter saw Australia pull away, before a final effort in the closing stages put the game out of reach for Ireland. After playing so well to earn their first win of the 2024/25 Men's FIH Pro League against world No 2-ranked Belgium on Sunday, Ireland came into this encounter on a real high. However the Aussies, ranked No 5 in the world, had too much firepower. Australia set out their stall early on, pressing Ireland high and winning a penalty corner inside the first three minutes. Jeremy Hayward was the go-to option, making no mistake in flicking the ball past Luke Roleston to break the deadlock. Australia continued to apply the pressure, a ball across goal providing Blake Govers the chance to double their lead. A number of shots tested Roleston in the Irish net, but the keeper was on song to keep the scoreline at 1-0. Ireland responded. Johnny McKee stepped forward in the press to win the ball and release Banbridge Peter Brown down the right flank. Brown weaved his way into the circle, offloaded to Ben Walker who found McKee free to flick into the top corner, drawing Ireland level going into the end of the first quarter. The intensity carried into the second quarter, this time with attacking phases coming early for both teams. It was Australia's turn to put their press to work, picking the pocket of Louis Rowe, and working the ball into the circle. The initial chance was stopped but a stick tackle on Nathan Ephraums inside the circle resulted in a penalty stroke, which Blake Govers dispatched to restore Australia's lead. Australia asked further questions of Ireland throughout the second quarter, but the Green Machine's defence provided the answers to go into the break trailing by just a single goal. The second half began as the first ended, with Australia winning the ball in the press and forcing Roleston into a series of saves. Cooper Burns eventually made use of the Hockeyroos attacking options, pulling the ball off the baseline onto his reverse stick and lifting over the onrushing Roleston to score Australia's third. Australia added a fourth and fifth in quick succession before the end of the third quarter, the first coming from a penalty corner which Connar Otterbach deflected into the roof of the net, followed by a Jack Welch strike after an Irish defensive error. Govers grabbed his second - and Australia's sixth - to put the cherry on the cake. "I think we struggled to keep up with the pace in the second half, and I think we went a little bit flat and into our shells which is never a good thing to do against Australia," Ireland captain Lee Cole reflected. "They are a world-class outfit, they have always been. I think everyone in this league is and that's the real challenge. Stringing performances together is where we need to improve."
