The Olympic Games are yet to begin, but before the flag-off, two Indian athletes have announced their retirement
The Olympic Games 2024, to be held in Paris, France, are scheduled to begin on July 26. Even before the Games have been flagged off, two Indian athletes have decided that the 2024 Games would be their last. First on the list is Sharath Kamal, one of the finest table tennis players India has ever produced. At 42, Kamal believes it is the correct time to leave the table for youngsters.
The other player to announce his retirement is the Indian hockey national team goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh. It was only last month when he screamed his lungs out after saving a German goal during a Pro League match in London; the game ended with India 3-0, beating reigning champions Germany.
Before the tournament begins, let us look at the achievements and awards of the two Indian veterans.
Having started his table tennis career at a tender age, Sharath Kamal went on to win a record ten Senior National Championships. Kamal has been a prominent name in the table tennis circuit, having won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games across categories.
Athens 2004 ๐ Beijing 2008 ๐ Rio 2016 ๐ Tokyo 2020 ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐คฉ
โ Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 18, 2024
Only the ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ to feature in 5๏ธโฃ Olympic Games! ๐คฏ
Let's make it one to remember, Sharath Kamal! ๐ฎ๐ณ#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/RBdjRMNqQW
The table tennis star won his first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in the singles category and in the men's team category. In 2010, he grabbed a gold medal in men's doubles and a bronze medal in the men's team category. Eight years later, in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, he grabbed four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze.
Throughout his career, Kamal struggled to find success in the Asian Games, but in 2018, he finally managed to grab two bronze medals in the mixed doubles and teams category. Unfortunately, Kamal has never won a medal at the Olympic Games but will hope to hit his peak in his last ever Olympic appearance.
Kamal is a recipient of the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna.
As I stand on the threshold of my final chapter in international hockey, my heart swells with gratitude and reflection. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans. pic.twitter.com/MqxIuTalCY
โ sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) July 22, 2024
36-year-old Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh is considered one of the best hockey goalkeepers of his era. He made his debut in 2004 but was a late bloomer who rose to fame in 2011 when he defended India in the Asian Champions Trophy final against Pakistan. In the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy, he was instrumental in India's victory, which earned him the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Winning our first Asian Champions Trophy in a shootout against Pakistan was a historic moment. The first Asian Games gold, against Pakistan in another intense shootout, solidified our place in history. These victories were not just for me, but for every Indian who believed in us. pic.twitter.com/RwBXbSKn7G
โ sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) July 22, 2024
A year later, in 2014, Sreejesh's defensive acumen between the nets helped India win gold at the Asian Games. In 2018, thanks to Sreejesh's defensive acumen between the poles, India grabbed a silver medal in the Breda Champions Trophy and a bronze medal in the Jakarta Games.
How can we forget the bronze medal that India captured in the 2020 Olympics, with Sreejesh playing a crucial role? Even in the 2022 Asian Games, Sreejesh's brilliance helped India defeat Japan 5-1 to win the gold medal.
The crowning glory, our Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, was a dream realized. The tears, the joy, the pride โ it was all worth it. pic.twitter.com/hMCi1SWspX
โ sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) July 22, 2024
The Kerala-born field hockey goalie was awarded the FIH Player of the Year Award (2020โ21) for best male goalkeeper, and in 2022, he was also named the World Games Athlete of the Year. The Indian government honoured him with the Khel Ratna award in 2021.
For the Indian team, the 2024 Olympic Games will be more significant because every member wishes to give Sreejesh a perfect farewellโan Olympic gold.