Indian men's hockey team defeated _______ to win their first-ever Olympic medal in 41 years.
VerifiedAnswer: Germany
Explanation:
The Indian men's hockey team achieved a remarkable feat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by defeating Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match on August 5, 2021. This victory marked a historic moment for Indian sports as it ended a 41-year-long wait for an Olympic hockey medal.
India's last Olympic hockey medal came in 1980 at the Moscow Olympics, where they won gold. Since then, despite being a traditionally strong hockey nation with eight Olympic gold medals in their history, India struggled to secure podium finishes in subsequent Olympics.
The bronze medal match against Germany was an intense encounter that showcased India's determination and skill. The team, led by captain Manpreet Singh and coached by Graham Reid, displayed exceptional teamwork and resilience throughout the tournament. Key players like Harmanpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh played crucial roles in this historic victory.
This achievement was particularly significant as it came after India had reached the semifinals for the first time since 1972. Although they lost to eventual champions Belgium in the semifinals, the team showed tremendous character by bouncing back to claim the bronze medal against Germany, a team known for their technical prowess and Olympic pedigree in hockey.
