Bhubaneswar: India won the bronze medal in men’s hockey at Tokyo Olympics after beating Germany 5-4 at the Oi Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas from Odisha were part of this team, which made a comeback after trailing 1-3 after a somewhat error-prone defensive display in the first 25 minutes and ended the 41-year medal drought.
Odisha is also the official sponsor of the national team.
“Brilliant in Blue. Congratulations Indian Men’s Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo2020 will inspire a generation of sportspersons. All the very best for the future”: tweeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Brilliant in Blue ?
Congratulations Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo2020 will inspire generation of sportspersons. All the very best for future. #Cheer4India @thehockeyindia— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 5, 2021
Former cricketer Gautam Gambir termed this win as bigger than any World Cup.
Forget 1983, 2007 or 2011, this medal in Hockey is bigger than any World Cup! #IndianHockeyMyPride ?? pic.twitter.com/UZjfPwFHJJ
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 5, 2021
Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan also joined their former teammate to congratulate Team India.
Congratulations to each & every member of the hockey contingent on winning the #Bronze for India!
A fantastic hard fought win…The penalty corner save by Sreejesh in the dying moments of the game was amazing.??
Entire ?? is immensely proud!#Hockey #Tokyo2020 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/7Rtko9kS63
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 5, 2021
Chak De Fattey ! Burraaah
A landmark day for @TheHockeyIndia
After being down 3-1, INDIA fights back to win the bronze medal match 5-3, a first Olympic medal in #Hockey after 40 years. Mazaa aa gaya #IndvsGer pic.twitter.com/0T3ssVPnRG— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 5, 2021
Heartiest Congratulations to the Indian Men’s hockey team! We are super proud of your efforts & this victory will forever be cherised! #Hockey #Olympics #Tokyo2020 ? pic.twitter.com/OxLqRfney0
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) August 5, 2021
History! Congratulations to our hockey team on creating history! An outstanding achievement that won’t be forgotten ?? ? pic.twitter.com/2ZQQUk8mxl
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 5, 2021
