Gwalior, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian women’s hockey team made history by clinching the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Following this remarkable achievement, Ishika Chaudhary received a grand welcome in her hometown of Gwalior. With her sights now set on the 2028 Olympics, she expressed her excitement about the future.
“We are extremely happy to win the gold medal. Being part of history and working hard for it brings immense joy. What makes me even happier is qualifying for the LA Olympics. We now have time to prepare for the Olympics, and the upcoming tournaments will be played with that in mind,” Ishika stated.
Throughout her career, Ishika has faced numerous ups and downs. She reflected on her journey, saying, “Injuries are part of the game. I’ve had broken teeth and broken bones. There are always challenges, but I have received support and inspiration along the way. Achieving dreams requires hard work. My family has always supported me and never discouraged me from playing. Gwalior boasts a world-class academy, and many young players aspire to join the junior and senior camps from the Darpan Hockey Stadium.”
Her coach remarked that this moment is a source of pride not just for Gwalior but for the entire nation. Upon her return, Ishika was greeted at the airport by academy students, relatives, staff, and sports officials who came to congratulate her.
The coach emphasized that this is the pinnacle of his 26-year career, with Ishika’s gold medal win bringing honor to him and the country. He noted that many national and international players have emerged from their academy, with several securing jobs through sports quotas.
He also highlighted the bright future of hockey in Gwalior, thanks to the availability of several international-standard astro-turf fields that provide players with excellent facilities. The coach praised the support from the Scindia family for promoting sports in the region.
Ishika’s father expressed immense pride in her achievements, stating, “We are very proud of her. Jyotiraditya Scindia has congratulated her. Everyone celebrated with drums and sweets, showering her with flowers.” Her mother added that the family is overjoyed by her gold medal victory and Olympic qualification, as relatives and well-wishers warmly welcomed her home.
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