P. R. Sreejesh

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = P. R. Sreejesh

| image = P. R. Sreejesh in August 2024 with his Paris Olympics bronze medal.jpg

| caption = Sreejesh in August 2024

| fullname = Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|05|08}}

| birth_place = Kochi, Kerala, India

| nickname = Great Wall of India {{Cite web|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/sports/pr-sreejesh-the-great-wall-of-indian-hockey-who-helped-india-script-history-in-paris-olympics/articleshow/112382189.cms|title=PR Sreejesh: The Great Wall of Indian Hockey who helped India script history in Paris Olympics|work=The Economic Times |date=8 August 2024 |access-date=8 August 2024}}

| module = {{Infobox field hockey player

| 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 = 2017–2024

| caps5 =

| goals5 =

| nationalteam1 = India U21

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2006

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalteam2 = India

| nationalyears2 = 2006–2024

| nationalcaps2 = 336

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2024–present

| managerclubs1 = India U21

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's field hockey}} 30px

{{Medal|Country|{{IND}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}File:Olympic rings.svg

}}

Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh (born 8 May 1988) is an Indian field hockey coach and former player. He was the captain of the national team and played as a goalkeeper.[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] - The Guardian, 4 August 2024 Since 2024, he is the head coach of the India men's national U-21 team. He is also the coach of Delhi SG Pipers in Hockey India League. He is regarded as one of the greatest goal keepers in the history of field hockey.{{cite web |title= Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran |url=http://hockeyindia.org/team/sreejesh-parattu-raveendran-2.html |publisher= Hockey India |access-date= 5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305065118/http://hockeyindia.org/team/sreejesh-parattu-raveendran-2.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} Sreejesh played a vital role in the Indian national team's bronze medal wins at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.{{cite news|title=Meet PR Sreejesh, India's talismanic goalkeeper who led them to first Olympic medal in 41 years|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tokyo-olympics/story/pr-sreejesh-india-hockey-bronze-medal-tokyo-olympics-1836963-2021-08-05|access-date=5 August 2021|publisher=India Today|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} He won the best male goalkeeper award at the FIH Awards in 2020, 2022, and 2024.{{Cite news|url=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|title=Hockey: India sweeps FIH annual awards|website=The Times of India|date=6 October 2021|access-date=22 April 2024|archive-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} He was part of the teams that clinched gold medals at the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, and secured a bronze medal at the 2018 edition. He also contributed to India's silver medal finishes at the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games. In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor in 2019, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor in 2025. {{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title=PR Sreejesh, R Ashwin honoured with Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan: WATCH |url=https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/pr-sreejesh-r-ashwin-honoured-with-padma-awards-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-watch-23529745 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-07 |title=P. R. Sreejesh Wiki, Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More |url=https://biographyindia.org/p-r-sreejesh-wiki-height-age-wife-family-biography-more/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807124211/https://biographyindia.org/p-r-sreejesh-wiki-height-age-wife-family-biography-more/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=7 August 2021 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Biography India |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/pr-sreejesh-family-olympic-bronze-paris-9503259/|title=As PR Sreejesh signs off with Paris 2024 bronze, big family get together in Kizhakkambalam with nervous waiting and unni appams|date=9 August 2024 }}

As a kid, he trained as a sprinter, before moving on to long jump and volleyball. At 12, he joined the G. V. Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram. This was where his coach suggested that he take up goalkeeping.{{cite news |title= SHOT stopper |url= http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/shot-stopper/article5323006.ece |newspaper= The Hindu |date= 7 November 2013 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 6 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200806143121/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/shot-stopper/article5323006.ece |url-status= live }} 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.{{cite news |title= Goalie extraordinaire |url= http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/goalie-extraordinaire/article1421857.ece |newspaper= The Hindu |date= 2 August 2008 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 4 August 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240804112105/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Goalie-extraordinaire/article15386328.ece |url-status= live }} He completed his graduation in History from Sree Narayana College, Chempazhanthy, Kerala.{{cite web|title=Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh profile|url=https://www.incheon2014ag.org/Sports/Biographies/Athletes_Profile/?ParticCode=5102515&lang=en|publisher=incheon2014ag.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929110825/http://www.incheon2014ag.org/Sports/Biographies/Athletes_Profile/?ParticCode=5102515&lang=en|archive-date=29 September 2014|url-status=usurped|access-date=2 October 2014}}

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.{{cite web |title= Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh gets married to former long jumper Alisha |url= http://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-gets-married-to-former-long-jumper-alisha |website= sportskeeda.com |date= 13 May 2013 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 26 December 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191226091132/https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-gets-married-to-former-long-jumper-alisha |url-status= live }} Following India's win at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup, he was awarded the 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament'.{{cite magazine |title= Diwakar Ram in the spotlight |url= http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss3131/stories/20080802503603400.htm |magazine= Sportstar |date= 2 August 2008 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 27 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131027160443/http://sportstaronnet.com/tss3131/stories/20080802503603400.htm |url-status= live }} 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,{{cite news |title= The solitary keeper |url= http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/the-solitary-keeper/ |newspaper= The Indian Express |date= 14 March 2013 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 26 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210826110645/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/the-solitary-keeper/ |url-status= live }} 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.{{cite news |title= Asian Games: India beat Pakistan to clinch gold, qualify for Rio Olympics |url= https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141002/sports-other-sports/article/asian-games-it-1-1-india-vs-pakistan-mens-hockey-final |newspaper= Deccan Chronicle |date= 2 October 2014 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 5 October 2014 |archive-url= 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 |url-status= live }} At the 2014 Champions Trophy and 2018 Champions Trophy, he was adjudged "Goalkeeper of the Tournament".{{cite web |title= PR Sreejesh Hopes to Live up to Expectations in Hockey India League 2015 |url= http://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/news/235220-pr-sreejesh-hopes-to-live-up-to-expectations-in-hockey-india-league-2015 |publisher= NDTV |date= 29 December 2014 |access-date= 4 February 2015 |archive-date= 9 August 2016 |archive-url= 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 |url-status= live }} Following impressive performances in 2014, he was nominated for the award of Best Male Goalkeeper; he eventually lost to Jaap Stockmann of the Netherlands.{{cite web |title= FIH announce the winners of the FIH 2014 Player of the Year |url= http://www.fih.ch/en/news-5530-fih-announce-the-winners-of-the-fih-2014 |website= fih.ch |date= 15 January 2015 |access-date= 4 February 2015 |archive-date= 26 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210826120452/http://www.fih.ch/en/news-5530-fih-announce-the-winners-of-the-fih-2014 |url-status= live }} 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 .{{cite web |title=Hockey India removes Sardar Singh as captain, Sreejesh to lead at Rio Olympics |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/hockey-india-removes-sardar-singh-as-captain-sreejesh-to-lead-at-rio/article8839537.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=13 July 2016 |date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web|title=മലയാളി മെഡൽ; ശ്രീജേഷിലൂടെ ഹോക്കിയിൽ ഇന്ത്യയ്ക്ക് അഭിമാന വെങ്കലം|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/sports/specials/olympics-2020/news/india-vs-germany-hockey-match-for-bronze-medal-tokyo-2020-1.5885878|work=Mathrubhumi|date=5 August 2021|access-date=5 August 2021|language=ml|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title= Olympic bronze medallist hockey star PR Sreejesh has a road named after him in Kerala |url= https://thebridge.in/hockey/olympic-bronze-medallist-pr-sreejesh-road-named-kerala-24139 |date= 5 August 2021 |access-date= 5 August 2021 |archive-date= 5 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210805050339/https://thebridge.in/hockey/olympic-bronze-medallist-pr-sreejesh-road-named-kerala-24139 |url-status= live }}

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

He was also played a key role in India's bronze-medal winning journey at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.{{Cite news |date=2024-08-08 |title=PR Sreejesh: The Great Wall of Indian Hockey who helped India script history in Paris Olympics |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/pr-sreejesh-the-great-wall-of-indian-hockey-who-helped-india-script-history-in-paris-olympics/articleshow/112382189.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} He retired from his international career post the Olympics games.{{Cite web |title=PR Sreejesh : The hockey legend who stood tall in cricket-mad India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje20v4xlzpo |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.bbc.com |date=9 August 2024 |language=en-GB}}

= Club career =

At the auction of the inaugural season of the Hockey India League, Sreejesh was bought by the Mumbai franchise for {{USD}}38,000. He played two seasons for their team, Mumbai Magicians.{{cite news|title=Hockey India League will boost Indian hockey: Sreejesh|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/article1414631.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417164018/http://newindianexpress.com/sport/article1414631.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=9 January 2013|access-date=2 October 2014}} In 2014, he was bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for {{USD}}69,000 and since the 2015 season, has been playing for them.{{cite news|title=Sreejesh hopes to live up to expectations in Hockey India League|url=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|archive-url=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|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=29 December 2014|access-date=4 February 2015}} 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. Their daughter Anusree was born in 2014.{{cite web |title= Indian hockey goalkeeper Sreejesh blessed with a baby girl |url= http://suhridsports.blogspot.in/2014/07/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-sreejesh.html |website= suhridsports.blogspot.in |date= 1 July 2014 |access-date= 2 October 2014 |archive-date= 16 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170416175350/http://suhridsports.blogspot.in/2014/07/indian-hockey-goalkeeper-sreejesh.html |url-status= live }} Their son Sreeansh was born in 2017. He is currently employed as a Joint Director with the Government of Kerala's Department of General and Higher Education. Sreejesh is a member of Rotary Club of Kizhakkambalam, District 3201.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

!Year

!Award

!Category

!Result

!Ref(s)

2014

|rowspan=2|FIH Awards

|rowspan=2|Male Goalkeeper of the Year

|{{nom}}

2016

|{{nom}}

2017

|Padma Sri

|Distinguished Contribution in Sports

|{{won}}

|{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2017 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=17 February 2020 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815094956/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=List of Padma awardees 2017 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/List-of-Padma-awardees-2017/article17092476.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=25 January 2017 |access-date=17 February 2020 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227043534/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/List-of-Padma-awardees-2017/article17092476.ece |url-status=live }}

2020–2021

|FIH Awards

|Male Goalkeeper of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=Indian hockey players sweep FIH Stars Awards |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/fih-stars-awards-2020-21-indian-hockey-team-players-winners-list |website=Olympics}}

2021

|Khel Ratna Award

|Spectacular Performance in the Field of Sports

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web|date=2021-11-02|title=National Sports Awards 2021: Neeraj Chopra, Lovlina Borgohain, Mithali Raj Among 9 Others to Get Khel Ratna|url=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|access-date=2021-11-02|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

2022

|World Games Awards

|Athlete of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web | date=2022-01-31 |title=Sreejesh becomes the second Indian to get World Athlete Of The Year Award | url=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 | access-date=2022-01-31 | website=The Hindu | language=en | archive-date=31 January 2022 | archive-url=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 | url-status=live }}

2022

|rowspan=2|FIH Awards

|rowspan=2|Male Goalkeeper of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=India's PR Sreejesh, Savita Punia voted FIH Men's and Women's Goalkeepers of Year |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/hockey/story/india-s-pr-sreejesh-savita-punia-voted-fih-men-s-and-women-s-goalkeepers-of-year-2008605-2022-10-05 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}

2024

|{{won}}

|{{Cite news |title=FIH Awards: Harmanpreet Singh wins Men's Player of the Year, PR Sreejesh bags Goalkeeper of the Year |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/fih-awards-harmanpreet-singh-wins-mens-player-of-the-year-pr-sreejesh-bags-goalkeeper-of-the-year/articleshow/115103748.cms |access-date=2024-11-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

rowspan=2|2025

|Padma Bhushan

|Distinguished Service of a High Order

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |date=2025-01-25 |title=PR Sreejesh honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri for R Ashwin: Full list |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/pr-sreejesh-honoured-with-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-for-r-ashwin-full-list-2670167-2025-01-25 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=India Today |language=en}}

Hockey India Awards

|Goalkeeper of the Year

|{{nom}}

References

External links

[https://www.hockeyindia.org/players/sreejesh-parattu-raveendran-profile-56 Sreejesh Ravindran] at Hockey India
[https://www.theworldgames.org/awards/Athlete-of-the-Year-2021-94 www.theworldgames.org]
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