Tokyo Olympics: India’s real Chak De Girls gave a tough fight, missed out on maiden Olympic medal

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It was a heartbreak for the Indian women’s hockey team and Indians, after they lost 3-4 to Great Britain in a nail-biting bronze play-off, match at Tokyo Olympics.

India’s real Chak De girls had scripted history after entering into the semifinals for the first time after defeating the three-time champions Australia in the Tokyo Olympics.

The women’s team gave a tough fight to Great Britain, gold-winner in the 2016 Rio Games but the dream of securing its maiden Olympic medal remained unfulfilled.

The Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who had portrayed the character of hockey coach to the women’s hockey team in the 2007 film Chak De! India, also tweeted minutes after the India women’s hockey team lost the bronze medal match to Great Britain.

Heartbreak!!! But all reasons to hold our heads high. Well played Indian Women’s Hockey Team. You all inspired everyone in India. That itself is a victory.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 6, 2021

The heartbreak came a day after the Indian men’s team ended a 41-year-old medal drought by clinching bronze with a 5-4 win over Germany.

The Indian players performed neck and neck against the opponent team and overcame a two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 at halftime. However, in the second half Great Britain scored two goals to snatch the match from India’s hands.

In the 1980 Moscow Games, India had given its best performance where they finished fourth out of six teams. The women’s hockey team in 1980, made its debut in the Olympics and the sport was played in a round-robin format with the top two teams qualifying for the final.

Though India could not win a medal this time, the women’s team has made the country proud with their performance.

We narrowly missed a medal in Women’s Hockey but this team reflects the spirit of New India- where we give our best and scale new frontiers. More importantly, their success at #Tokyo2020 will motivate young daughters of India to take up Hockey and excel in it. Proud of this team.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021

भारत की बेटियाँ पूरे विश्व में देश का गौरव बढ़ा रहीं हैं। Unprecedented performance throughout the tournament by the Indian Women’s Hockey Team.

We made it to the top 4 at #Olympics pic.twitter.com/KdHMe9jhcS

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 6, 2021

India’s daughters – our determined athletes; we are immensely proud of you!

A giant leap of faith & fighting spirit by our women’s hockey team; a legacy that will inspire us to do even better!

You have shown us the way.#Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/XD9Dsqp9So

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 6, 2021

Our girls go down fighting but not before they make #Tokyo2020 the best run for Indian women’s hockey at #Olympics

Well played girls. The confidence & self-belief gained will be your strength going forward towards #Paris2024.

Proud of you.#Hockey #Cheer4Indiia pic.twitter.com/opYG7RtLqI

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 6, 2021