Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was a key part of India’s bronze-winning hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics, announced his international retirement on Thursday. ” It is time for me to make way for youngsters,” the 30-year-old wrote on social media. 

Singh, also known as ‘Bob’, scored four goals for India in at the Tokyo Games. His penalty stroke in the third-place match against Germany helped PR Sreejesh and company to win the historic bronze medal. 

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“The past couple of months have undoubtedly been the best days of my life. Standing on the podium in Tokyo along with my teammates with whom I have shared some of the most incredible experiences of my life was a feeling I will cherish forever,” he wrote in a statement on his official twitter handle.

Rupinder Pal Singh finishes his career with 119 goals in 223 matches, making him one of the best drag-flickers of the country. 

“I believe it is time for me to make way for young and talented players to experience every great joy that I have felt in these last 13 years of representing India.”

Singh made his international debut in May 2010 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh. He was named as vice-captain of India’s 2014 World Cup campaign besides being a member of the Commonwealth Games silver medal-winning side the same year.

Rupinder has two Asian Games medals in his kitty — a gold in 2014 Incheon and bronze in 2018 Jakarta.

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“I have had the honour of wearing the India jersey in 223 matches and each of these matches were special. I am leaving the team feeling happy and content as we have conquered the greatest dream which was to win an Olympic medal for India,” he said. “I will carry with me nothing but great memories of playing with some of the most talented players in world hockey and I have immense respect for each one of them,” he said.

“My teammates have been a great pillar of support all these years and I wish them the best as they surge ahead in taking India to newer heights in hockey.” Rupinder credited his success to his friends and family, especially his parents.

“None of this success I enjoy today would have been possible without the support and encouragement from my friends and family, particularly my mother and father. I walked into every match thinking of them.” He also thanked Hockey India and all those who played a big part in shaping his career.

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“I thank Hockey India for having faith in me all these years. I also thank Baba Shershah Wali academy and coaches, Firozpur where my journey in hockey began. I thank my friends and coaches from Faridkot from where I have some good memories as a young player,” Rupinder said.

“I also thank coaches late Shri Jasbir Singh Bajwa, Shri OP Ahlawat and my friends from Chandigarh Hockey Academy who played a big role in my formative years as a player.”