Lalit Upadhyay ends Varanasi's long wait for a hockey medallist

There have been bad days, worse days, pathetic days for Lalit Upadhyay as a hockey player but those are behind now. His bronze medal has changed everything.

Shubham Pandey


File image of India's Lalit Upadhyay. AFP

Words flow endlessly from Lalit Upadhyay. Despite no sleep in the last 48 hours or so, there are little signs of fatigue. His face reflects pride, and he is ready for some marathon interviews. There is no stopping him. There have been bad days, worse days, pathetic days for him as a hockey player but those are behind him. Today he is an Olympic medallist and he proudly says he is the first from his city, Varanasi, after Mohammed Shahid. But he does not forget to mention the seniors who came between him and Shahid and played for India at the Games.