Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian men’s hockey team’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics as historic and said that the day will be etched in the memory of every Indian. 

The Indian men’s hockey team made history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, beating Germany 5-4 to claim the bronze in an edge-of-the-seat play-off match of the ongoing Games here on Thursday.

Also Read | Tokyo Olympics: India beat Germany 5-4 to win bronze medal

Modi tweeted, “Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team.”

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also congratulated the Indian men’s hockey team on its historic victory. 

“The team showed exceptional skills, resilience & determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey…” the President said. 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, whose state has played a significant role in supporting Indian hockey said, “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 #Tokyo 2020 will inspire generations of sportspersons.” 

The cheering has spread to homes and localities where people have come out on the streets to celebrate India’s victory. India’s hockey player Manpreet Singh’s family members in Jalandhar broke into a dance when India finally won the match. 

Indian men’s hockey team defeated Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal playoff at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday. India have won a hockey medal at the Olympics after a wait of 41 years. 

The eight-time former gold-winners, who battled a heartbreaking slump in the last four decades, made the resurgence of the last couple of years count in the best way possible with an Olympic medal.