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With the curtain about to go up on the 2024 Paris Olympics, a lot is expected from the Indian Men's Hockey Team. The players are yearning to carry on their past performances and vie for glory.
One among the slew of debutants is 24-year-old forward Abhishek, for whom this ultimate dream of dressing up for India at the Olympics is finally going to turn into reality.
Abhishek, from Sonipat in Haryana, has been looking toward the opportunity to represent India at the Olympics since he turned 14. For him, that is an honor synchronized with a huge responsibility. Taking up the responsibility toward making the nation proud, Abhishek's journey into the Olympics is the result of dedication and hard work.
The Haryana-born plays as a forward and made his international debut for India in February 2022 at the 2021–22 Men's FIH Pro League. He won a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, which is no small achievement for his age.
“Ever since I was 14, it has been my dream to play for India in the Olympics. I want to do my best and make the whole country proud," said Abhishek (via Hockey India).
His family is elated over his 2024 Paris Olympics appearance. For them, it is unreal to see Abhishek achieving what he started working for many years ago.
His family and friends are aware of his passion for Hockey, but hockey is seldom discussed. Days ahead of the Olympics, the field hockey player has got immense love and encouragement from them all as everyone understands how big a deal the Games are.
“My extended family and friends know I play for India, but we do not talk about Hockey much. However, ahead of the Olympics, I’ve been getting so much love and wishes from them. Everybody knows how important this is," he added.
Abhishek, with 74 matches for India, has already experienced high-stake scenarios in big-ticket tournaments like the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, the FIH World Cup 2023, and the FIH Pro League.
Lately, he has been part of the team that won gold at the Asian Games in China which further prepares him to tackle 2024 Paris Olympics challenges. He was quoted as saying:
“The pressure in big tournaments doesn’t deter me or change my approach. I just try to execute on the pitch.”
Abhishek takes inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo's mentality for high-stakes games at the Paris Olympics 2024
Notably, before leaving for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Indian team attended a mental conditioning camp in Switzerland to work on bonding exercises and high-pressure scenarios. This worked as a mental strength-building exercise.
For Abhishek, Cristiano Ronaldo is an inspiration because of the mentality and approach toward the game that keeps him going, pushing his limits to the very best. He added:
“As a professional athlete, his (Ronaldo) 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.”
Field hockey tournaments at the 2024 Paris Olympics will see separate men's and women's events taking place at Stade Yves-du-Manoir from July 27 to August 9, 2024.
It shall be noted that Hockey games at the Summer Olympics have been returning since the 1924 season. It will see a total of 24 teams competing: 12 each in the respective men's and women's tournaments.
