Lalit Upadhyay: From Scandal to Olympic Glory in Indian Hockey

Lalit Upadhyay, a prominent Indian men's hockey team striker, overcame a career-threatening scandal at 17 to win an Olympic bronze and Asian Games gold. Reflecting on his journey, he attributes his mental resilience to early setbacks. As India prepares for the Paris Games, Lalit remains optimistic about changing the medal's color.

Lalit Upadhyay, a star striker for the Indian men's hockey team, has journeyed from a career-hindering scandal to Olympic acclaim. In 2008, just 17, Lalit almost abandoned hockey after being wrongfully implicated in a scandal. Instead, he turned this setback into a stepping stone, leading to an Olympic bronze and Asian Games gold.

Lalit recalls the incident as a blessing in disguise, strengthening his resolve. "When I faced all this in the beginning, I became mentally stronger," he told PTI Bhasha. Now, 30 years old, Lalit aims for an improved performance at the upcoming Paris Games, where he hopes to change the medal's color.

India faces a challenging pool, but Lalit is optimistic. "We will focus on one match at a time and try to give our best in every match," he stated. With 45 goals in 168 international appearances, his confidence shines ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)