Indian Hockey Star Abhishek’s Olympic Dream Comes True
The Indian men’s hockey team, reigning Olympic bronze medalists, will soon compete in the Paris Olympics. Among the debutants is forward Abhishek, who will realize his lifelong dream of representing India at the Olympics.
Abhishek, from Sonepat, Haryana, shared, “Ever since I was 14, it has been my dream to play for India in the Olympics. This is a privilege and a responsibility that I take very seriously. I want to do my best and make the whole country proud.”
His family is ecstatic about his Olympic appearance. “It’s surreal for them,” he said. “When I started doing well in hockey, the most we expected was a government job. So, seeing me reach this level is thrilling for them. My brother, especially, has always been my biggest supporter.”
Abhishek has played 74 matches for India, including significant tournaments like the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, the FIH World Cup 2023, the FIH Pro League, and the recent Asian Games in China, where India clinched gold. He is no stranger to high-pressure situations. “The pressure in big tournaments doesn’t deter me or change my approach. I just try to execute on the pitch,” he asserted.
He emphasized the importance of the Indian team’s mental conditioning camp in Switzerland. “After months of focusing on the physical aspect of the game, this camp is exactly what we needed. The team has been spending time connecting on and off the field, improving our bond, and learning to handle high-pressure situations better,” he remarked.
Abhishek draws inspiration from footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. “As a professional athlete, his mentality and approach to the game motivate me to play and train in a certain way. Watching him has inspired me to push my limits and strive for excellence,” he said.
India will begin their campaign on July 27, taking on New Zealand in their first pool B match at 21:00 hrs.
