P. R. Sreejesh Explained

P. R. Sreejesh
Fullname:Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh
Birth Date:1988 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Kochi, Kerala, India
Nickname:Great wall of India [1]
Module:
Embed:yes
Height:1.84 m
Weight:90 kg
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Physical Education & Sports, Kerala
Clubs1:Chandigarh Comets
Years1:2005–2011
Caps1:17
Goals1:0
Clubs2:Indian Overseas Bank
Years2:2011–2013
Caps2:32
Goals2:0
Clubs3:Mumbai Magicians
Years3:2013–2014
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Clubs4:Uttar Pradesh Wizards
Years4:2015–2017
Caps4:33
Goals4:0
Clubs5:Physical Education & Sports, Kerala
Years5:2017–
Nationalteam1:India U21
Nationalyears1:2004–2006
Nationalteam2:India
Nationalyears2:2006–2024
Nationalcaps2:336
Nationalgoals2:0
Show-Medals:yes
Medaltemplates: (FIH Hockey Pro League)

Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh is the current head coach of the India men's national under-21 field hockey team and more importantly he is a former Indian field hockey player who played as a goalkeeper and former captain of the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal keepers in the history of hockey.[2] [3] Sreejesh played a vital role in the Indian national team's bronze medal wins at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.[4]

He won an award at the FIH Player of the Year Awards (2020–21) for the best male goalkeeper.[5] He was part of the teams which won gold at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2022 Asian Games.[6] He played in the Hockey India League for Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

Early life

Sreejesh was born 8 May 1988, in Kizhakkambalam, a suburb of Kochi in the state of Kerala, to P. V. Raveendran and Usha, a family of farmers. He completed his primary education in St. Antony's Lower Primary School in Kizhakkambalam and he studied until the sixth standard in St. Joseph's High School in Kizhakkambalam. His brother Sreejith lives in Canada.[7] [8]

As a kid, he trained as a sprinter, before moving on to long jump and volleyball. At 12, he joined the GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram. This was where his coach suggested that he take up goalkeeping.[9] He became a professional after he was picked by hockey coach Jayakumar at the school, following which he played at the school before playing at the Nehru Cup.[10] He completed his graduation in History from Sree Narayana College, Chempazhanthy, Kerala.[11]

In 2017, the Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri for his work in the field of sports.[12] [13]

Career

International career

Sreejesh made the Junior national team in 2004, in a match against Australia in Perth, in 2004. He made his debut in the senior national team in 2006, at the South Asian Games in Colombo.[14] Following India's win at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup, he was awarded the 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament'.[15] Having been a part of the Indian team for six years, though often losing his place to senior goalkeepers, Adrian D'Souza and Bharat Chettri,[16] he has been a regular member since 2011, after saving two penalty stroke in the Asian Champions Trophy Final in Ordos City, China, against Pakistan, a match-winning performance. His second 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament' award came at the 2013 Asia Cup, with India finishing second in the tournament. He was a part of the team that won silver medals at the

Sreejesh had earlier played for India at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and then World Cup in 2014. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, he starred in Indian's gold medal win, when he saved two penalty strokes against Pakistan in the final.[17] At the 2014 Champions Trophy and 2018 Champions Trophy, he was adjudged "Goalkeeper of the Tournament".[18] Following impressive performances in 2014, he was nominated for the award of Best Male Goalkeeper; he eventually lost to Jaap Stockmann of the Netherlands.[19] He was the captain of the team that won the silver medal at the 2016 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy held at London.

On 13 Jul 2016, Sreejesh took over as captain of the Indian hockey team from Sardar Singh.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Sreejesh led the Indian hockey team to the quarterfinals of the tournament .[20]

At the Tokyo Olympics, on 5 August 2021, Sreejesh played a key role in defeating Germany to clinch the bronze medal for India, their first Olympic medal in hockey for 41 years.[21] [22]

Sreejesh was a part of 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver medal won team, 2023 Asian Champion Trophy Winners team and 2022 Asian Games hockey Gold medal won Indian team.

He was also played a key role in India's bronze-medal winning journey at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[23] He retired from his international career post the Olympics games.[24]

Club career

At the auction of the inaugural season of the Hockey India League, Sreejesh was bought by the Mumbai franchise for 38,000. He played two seasons for their team, Mumbai Magicians.[25] In 2014, he was bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for 69,000 and since the 2015 season, has been playing for them.[26] PR Sreejesh became the second Indian to win the "World Athlete of the Year" after Rani Rampal.

Personal life

Sreejesh married his longtime girlfriend Aneeshya, a former long jumper and an Ayurveda doctor. They have a daughter (b. 2014) Anusree.[27] His son, Sreeansh was born in 2017. He is currently employed as Joint Director(Chief Sports Organiser) with the Government of Kerala's Department of General and Higher Education. Sreejesh is a member of Rotary Club of Kizhakkambalam, District 3201.

Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PR Sreejesh: The Great Wall of Indian Hockey who helped India script history in Paris Olympics. The Economic Times. 8 August 2024.
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/04/olympic-hockey-team-gb-india-defeat Team GB’s hockey hurt goes on after painful Olympic defeat by 10-man India
  3. Web site: Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran . Hockey India . 5 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305065118/http://hockeyindia.org/team/sreejesh-parattu-raveendran-2.html . 5 March 2016 . dead.
  4. News: Meet PR Sreejesh, India's talismanic goalkeeper who led them to first Olympic medal in 41 years. 5 August 2021. India Today. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806085200/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/sports/tokyo-olympics/story/pr-sreejesh-india-hockey-bronze-medal-tokyo-olympics-1836963-2021-08-05. live.
  5. News: Hockey: India sweeps FIH annual awards. The Times of India. 6 October 2021. 22 April 2024. 3 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240403030903/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/hockey-india-sweeps-fih-annual-awards-mens-olympic-champion-belgium-says-this-is-not-normal/articleshow/86807596.cms. live.
  6. Web site: Asian Games Results . 6 October 2023 . 2022 Asian Games, Hangzhou . 8 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231008232508/https://info.hangzhou2022.cn/en/results/hockey/result-men-fnl-000200-.htm . dead .
  7. Web site: 2021-08-07 . P. R. Sreejesh Wiki, Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More . 2023-07-13 . Biography India . en-US.
  8. Web site: As PR Sreejesh signs off with Paris 2024 bronze, big family get together in Kizhakkambalam with nervous waiting and unni appams.
  9. News: SHOT stopper . The Hindu . 7 November 2013 . 2 October 2014 . 6 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806143121/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/shot-stopper/article5323006.ece . live .
  10. News: Goalie extraordinaire . The Hindu . 2 August 2008 . 2 October 2014 . 4 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804112105/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Goalie-extraordinaire/article15386328.ece . live .
  11. Web site: Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh profile. incheon2014ag.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20140929110825/http://www.incheon2014ag.org/Sports/Biographies/Athletes_Profile/?ParticCode=5102515&lang=en. 29 September 2014. 2 October 2014.
  12. Web site: Padma Awards 2017 announced . pib.gov.in . 17 February 2020 . 15 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200815094956/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 . live .
  13. Web site: List of Padma awardees 2017 . The Hindu . en-IN . 25 January 2017 . 17 February 2020 . 27 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210227043534/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/List-of-Padma-awardees-2017/article17092476.ece . live .
  14. Web site: Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh gets married to former long jumper Alisha . sportskeeda.com . 13 May 2013 . 2 October 2014 . 26 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191226091132/https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-gets-married-to-former-long-jumper-alisha . live .
  15. Diwakar Ram in the spotlight . Sportstar . 2 August 2008 . 2 October 2014 . 27 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131027160443/http://sportstaronnet.com/tss3131/stories/20080802503603400.htm . live .
  16. News: The solitary keeper . The Indian Express . 14 March 2013 . 2 October 2014 . 26 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826110645/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/the-solitary-keeper/ . live .
  17. News: Asian Games: India beat Pakistan to clinch gold, qualify for Rio Olympics . Deccan Chronicle . 2 October 2014 . 2 October 2014 . 5 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141005045948/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141002/sports-other-sports/article/asian-games-it-1-1-india-vs-pakistan-mens-hockey-final . live .
  18. Web site: PR Sreejesh Hopes to Live up to Expectations in Hockey India League 2015 . NDTV . 29 December 2014 . 4 February 2015 . 9 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160809162654/http://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/news/235220-pr-sreejesh-hopes-to-live-up-to-expectations-in-hockey-india-league-2015 . live .
  19. Web site: FIH announce the winners of the FIH 2014 Player of the Year . fih.ch . 15 January 2015 . 4 February 2015 . 26 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826120452/http://www.fih.ch/en/news-5530-fih-announce-the-winners-of-the-fih-2014 . live .
  20. Web site: Hockey India removes Sardar Singh as captain, Sreejesh to lead at Rio Olympics . The Hindu . 13 July 2016 . 13 July 2016 . 12 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160712110348/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/hockey-india-removes-sardar-singh-as-captain-sreejesh-to-lead-at-rio/article8839537.ece . live .
  21. Web site: മലയാളി മെഡൽ; ശ്രീജേഷിലൂടെ ഹോക്കിയിൽ ഇന്ത്യയ്ക്ക് അഭിമാന വെങ്കലം. Mathrubhumi. 5 August 2021. 5 August 2021. ml. 26 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210826044125/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/sports/specials/olympics-2020/news/india-vs-germany-hockey-match-for-bronze-medal-tokyo-2020-1.5885878. dead.
  22. Web site: Olympic bronze medallist hockey star PR Sreejesh has a road named after him in Kerala . 5 August 2021 . 5 August 2021 . 5 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210805050339/https://thebridge.in/hockey/olympic-bronze-medallist-pr-sreejesh-road-named-kerala-24139 . live .
  23. News: 2024-08-08 . PR Sreejesh: The Great Wall of Indian Hockey who helped India script history in Paris Olympics . 2024-08-09 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.
  24. Web site: PR Sreejesh : The hockey legend who stood tall in cricket-mad India . 2024-08-10 . www.bbc.com . en-GB.
  25. News: Hockey India League will boost Indian hockey: Sreejesh. https://web.archive.org/web/20130417164018/http://newindianexpress.com/sport/article1414631.ece. dead. 17 April 2013. The New Indian Express. 9 January 2013. 2 October 2014.
  26. News: Sreejesh hopes to live up to expectations in Hockey India League. https://web.archive.org/web/20141230114609/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-india-league/top-stories/Sreejesh-hopes-to-live-up-to-expectations-in-Hockey-India-League/articleshow/45678285.cms. dead. 30 December 2014. The Times of India. 29 December 2014. 4 February 2015.
  27. Web site: Indian hockey goalkeeper Sreejesh blessed with a baby girl . suhridsports.blogspot.in . 1 July 2014 . 2 October 2014 . 16 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170416175350/http://suhridsports.blogspot.in/2014/07/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-sreejesh.html . live .
  28. Web site: Padma Awards 2017 announced . pib.gov.in . 17 February 2020 . 15 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200815094956/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 . live .
  29. Web site: List of Padma awardees 2017 . The Hindu . en-IN . 25 January 2017 . 17 February 2020 . 27 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210227043534/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/List-of-Padma-awardees-2017/article17092476.ece . live .
  30. Web site: 2021-11-02. National Sports Awards 2021: Neeraj Chopra, Lovlina Borgohain, Mithali Raj Among 9 Others to Get Khel Ratna. 2021-11-02. News18. en. 3 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103164948/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/national-sports-awards-2021-neeraj-chopra-lovlina-borgohain-mithali-raj-among-9-others-to-get-khel-ratna-4396067.html. live.
  31. Web site: 2022-01-31 . Sreejesh becomes the second Indian to get World Athlete Of The Year Award . 2022-01-31 . The Hindu . en . 31 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131162208/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/sreejesh-becomes-second-indian-to-win-world-games-athlete-of-the-year-award/article38353875.ece#:~:text=Sreejesh%2C%20a%20former%20India%20hockey,International%20Hockey%20Federation%20(FIH).html . live .

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