As the Paris Olympic Games approach, the Indian hockey team, led by coach Craig Fulton, is gearing up, with high expectations from fans. In a special episode of “Trailblazers: Celebrating Champions,” India’s key players, Manpreet, and Hardik Singh, had a candid conversation with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar, about their preparations, the impact of their coach, recent learnings, and more.
Manpreet said that winning an Olympic medal is a dream for any athlete. The team won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics and strive for success again. He believes that India is physically capable of competing with anyone this time around. Hardik echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s continuous improvement over each Olympics, which has placed them in the top 5. Their primary goal is to give their best in Paris.
Both players enjoy the pressure of the Olympics, finding motivation in wearing the national jersey and hearing the national anthem. This drives them to give their best performance. Regarding their group, Hardik mentioned that they will approach all teams with the same mindset, focusing on one match at a time and adapting as needed. “We actually enjoy this pressure because playing in an Olympics is a dream, especially when you don that national jersey and the national anthem is being played. It is a complete goosebumps moment,” Manpreet said.
Hardik also reflected on his challenging phase but expressed gratitude to his team for their support. He sees the upcoming Olympics as a significant opportunity for both himself and the team to showcase their skills on the world stage. Manpreet described the current dressing room atmosphere as fun yet focused, with senior players like Hardik stepping up during tough times to boost the confidence of younger teammates.
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EXCLUSIVE 🚨
They ended India’s 41 years of wait for an @Olympics medal in Hockey. The Bronze in Tokyo was like a fairytale.
Can they do it again in Paris? Will it be a better colour? The pressure of ‘the Olympics’. Preparations and more!
Catch @hardiksingh008 and… pic.twitter.com/gLSqC1yDpo
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 16, 2024
Despite a less-than-stellar performance in the Australia series, Manpreet noted the valuable lessons learned. The series highlighted areas for improvement, which they will address to be more effective at the Olympics. When it comes to relaxation, the team engages in activities like football matches, mobile games, card games, and PlayStation 5 competitions.
Occasional cheat meals are allowed to relieve the mental strain of rigorous training. Manpreet enjoys biryani during these times, but currently, the team’s focus is solely on the Olympics, aiming to stay injury-free and give 100% in each session. Hardik, with his fast metabolism, does not compromise on food and looks forward to spending time with family and friends when not at the SAI training centre in Bangalore.
The impact of coach Craig Fulton has been significant. Hardik appreciates the champion mindset Fulton instils, while Manpreet values his open-mindedness and the freedom he gives players on the field, provided they give 100% effort. Fulton’s positive approach and detailed game discussions are highly beneficial. “He is very open-minded and gives you the freedom to do whatever you are thinking as a player on that ground. All he wants is the 100% effort,” Manpreet added.
Both players expressed satisfaction with their preparation and the process, emphasising the importance of individual hard work and focus. They are aware that every match in the Olympics will be challenging. Hardik likened Fulton to Pep Guardiola for his detailed strategies and multiple structures, which are crucial as they head towards the Paris Olympics. Manpreet appreciated that even after wins, Fulton points out areas for improvement, ensuring continuous progress. “Of course! He (Craig) is the ‘Pep Guardiola’ of our team and he always goes into detail and that is helpful for us,” Hardik added.
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