PR Sreejesh is an Indian professional hockey player. PR Sreejesh is known for his wicketkeeping skills and has won several prestigious awards: the 2015 Arjuna Award and the 2017 Padma Shri Award.
Wiki/Biography
Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh was born on Sunday, May 8, 1986 (age 37; as of 2023) in Kizhakkambalam, a small village in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala, India. He is also known by the name “PR” or “Wall of Hockey India”. His zodiac sign is Taurus. Sreejesh received his primary education from St Anthony’s Junior Primary School, Kizzakambalam. Later, he continued his secondary education at St. Joseph’s High School in Kizzakambalam. Sreejesh has been fond of sports since he was a child and has participated in many sports such as long jump and volleyball. He is also a well-trained sprinter. At the age of 12, Sreejesh entered GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram for professional sports training. After completing his primary and secondary education, PR Sreejesh entered Sree Narayana College in Kollam, Kerala, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in history.
PR Srejesh childhood photos
appearance
Height (approximately): 6′
Weight (approximately): 90kg
Eye color: black
Hair color: black
tattoo
PR Sreejesh has a tribal tattoo on his right shoulder that extends up his arm. Tribal tattoos symbolize protection, power and strength.
PR Srejesh Tattoo
family
Parents and siblings
Sreejesh’s father PV Raveendran is a farmer. His mother Usha is a housewife.
PR Srejesh and his mother
PR Srejesh and his father
PR Sreejesh has a brother, Sreejith Parattu Raveendran. Sreejith is a real estate agent.
PR Srejesh and his brother.
wife and children
PR Sreejesh got married to former long jumper and Ayurvedic doctor Aneeshya on May 12, 2013 at the Maha Vishnu Temple in Kizzakambaram. According to Srijesh, when he was studying in eighth standard, he fell in love with his future wife, who was also his classmate. In 2014, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, whom they named Anusree. Sreejesh and Aneeshya welcomed their second child, a baby boy, Sreeansh in 2017.
PR Srejesh and his wife
PR Srejesh and his son
PR Srijesh’s daughter
Profession
At the age of 12, his parents sent him to GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram, where Sreejesh was exposed to more sports. Sreejesh suggested him to take up hockey as his professional sport on the couch at GV Raja Sports School, but Sreejesh was not interested in his idea at that time. Talking about choosing hockey, PR Sreejesh said in an interview,
Hockey is a last resort. Growing up, I was on the heavier side. I tried the shot put but had no power. I don’t have the athletic ability to excel at basketball or volleyball, but being a hockey goalie suits my physique. Surprisingly, I’m pretty good at this. “
After trying various sports, PR Sreejesh chose hockey and Jayakumar, the hockey coach of the sports school, chose him as the goalkeeper of the school’s hockey team. Thereafter, Sreejesh participated in several inter-school and state-level tournaments. The first major tournament that PR Sreejesh participated in was the Nehru Trophy. PR Sreejesh entered the Indian junior national team in 2004 and played his first match against Australia in Perth. In 2006, Srijesh became a member of the national senior team and made his debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo. At the beginning of his career, Srijesh’s performance on the court was not ideal and he was often selected as a substitute player for the team. PR Sreejesh first came into the spotlight with his historic penalty save against Pakistan in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final. Sharing his experience of playing against Pakistan, Srijesh said:
The match against Pakistan will naturally motivate our team to perform well. I knew I had to focus – when the penalty shootout started I was confident in my job. I’m not nervous. I am confident that I can lead India through this. Also, during the team meeting, we watched the Pakistan match tape. After studying their tactics, I knew what they were going to come up with. “
PR Sreejesh played an important role in helping India win the 2013 Asia Cup. His goalkeeping skills also earned him the title of “Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament” at the 2013 Asian Cup in Malaysia. In 2014, Srijesh’s calmness and liveliness on the field helped the Indian hockey team win the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. Sreejesh was awarded the title of ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ at the 2014 India Champions Trophy.
PR Sreejesh was awarded the title ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ at Champions Trophy 2014
On July 13, 2016, PR Sreejesh was promoted as the captain of the Indian Hockey Team. Under his leadership, India participated in many international events including the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, India reached the quarter-finals, which was a great achievement for the Indian hockey team. Although the team performed well under his leadership, he himself performed below average and was later replaced as captain by Manpreet Singh.
PR Sreejesh also had a long career as a club player. He was acquired by the Mumbai Magic for $38,000 (approximately Rs. 28 lakh) and played in the Indian Hockey League for the Mumbai Magic from 2013 to 2015. Next, he played for UP Wizards and was auctioned for $69,000 (approximately Rs. 51 lakh) in 2015. He shared his experience in the Indian Hockey League:
You won’t find this kind of fame, money and exposure anywhere else. Today, playing in HIL is every hockey player’s dream and has changed the entire frame of hockey in the country. Not a single national-level player has struggled on the streets since 2010. It’s not just the lifestyle and glamor, it’s the pride and identity that is fostered in the players as a respected hockey player.
In 2018, he once again proved his efficiency on the field, leading the Indian team to a silver medal at the Breda Champions Trophy and a bronze medal at the Jakarta Asian Games. PR suffered multiple serious injuries after the game, including the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus of his right knee. He had to take eight months off before returning to hockey.
In 2021, after 41 years, the Indian hockey team defeated the German team 5-4 to win the Olympic medal. With just seconds to go, Germany were awarded a penalty corner; however, PR Sreejesh fired the ball off the goal post and the Indian players fell to the ground in joy, finally ending the long wait for an Olympic hockey medal. PR Sreejesh used every bit of his goalkeeping skills and experience to help India win the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, making the entire India proud. Sreejesh posted a picture on social media of chewing a medal and captioned it
Uh…it tastes salty, yes…I remember, this is my sweat for the past 21 years😓. “
PR Sreejesh bites the bronze medal at Tokyo 2020
medal
gold
- 2014: Incheon Asian Games
- 2019: FIH Men’s Series Final, Bhubaneswar
silver
- 2014: Commonwealth Games, Glasgow
- 2016: Men’s Hockey Championship Trophy, London
bronze
- 2015: FIH Men’s World Hockey League, Raipur
Achievement
- 2008: Youth Asian Cup, “Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament”
- 2013: Best Goalkeeper in Asian Cup
Awards and Honors
Arjuna Award
PR Sreejesh was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2015 for his outstanding performance as goalkeeper and vice-captain of the Indian men’s hockey team. The Arjuna Award is given in recognition of outstanding performance by Indian athletes in the field of sports and competition.
PR Sreejesh receives prestigious Arjuna Award from President of India Mr. Pranab Kumar Mukherjee
Padma Shri
In 2017, PR Sreejesh was awarded India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, which was presented by former President of India Pranab Kumar Mukherjee. The award is given annually to Indian citizens on India’s Republic Day in recognition of their outstanding contributions in various fields. PR Sreejesh said dedicating his award to his team members,
I would like to dedicate this award to my team for their outstanding performance over the past few years. We grew together, continued to grow, enjoyed successes, and supported each other through heartbreaking failures. My recognition would not have been possible without teamwork. “
PR Sreejesh receives the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, from President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee
Keller Ratner Award
In November 2021, he became one of the 12 recipients of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.
dispute
According to Sreejesh, when he returned from Malaysia after winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, he was charged an additional Rs. As the gear bag he was carrying did not even exceed the prescribed weight limit, he was fined US$1,500 by AirAsia. “Is there any extra charge for sports equipment bags under 15kg? Do they expect me to carry a toiletry bag??..Interesting concept @AirAsia,” Sreejesh tweeted along with a screenshot of the fine receipt.
PR Sreejesh’s Twitter post
Favorites
- Hockey players: Adrian Albert D’souza, Baljit Dadwal
- Movie Dialogue: Rajinikanth’s line “Naan oru darava sonna adhu nooru darava sollara maadari” in “Baasha” (1995) (If I say something once, it’s like saying it 100 times).
sign
Signature of PR Sreejesh
Facts/Trivia
- PR Sreejesh enjoys reading in his spare time and has a large collection of novels.
PR Sreejesh is studying
- PR Sreejesh said in an interview that his father sold their cattle to buy him hockey equipment.
- A road in the town of Srijesh was named after him in recognition of his contribution to Indian hockey.
PR Sreejesh stands under a signboard and mentions a road named after him
- Sreejesh has walked for many famous Indian designers.
PR Sreejesh walks the runway.
- PR Sreejesh is a nature lover and is often seen planting trees around his residence.
PR Sreejesh takes selfie while planting trees
- PR Sreejesh follows a non-vegetarian diet.
PR Sreejesh enjoying non-vegetarian food with friends
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education