High points of Indian Hockey in 2016
What's the story
Having started the year with a loss at the South Asian Games against arch rivals Pakistan, both men's and women's hockey team achieved big throughout the year. A silver medal at Men's Hockey Champions Trophy, qualifying for Rio Olympics, gold at the Asian Champions trophy and winning the Hockey Junior world cup were the highlights of the year.
South Asian Games
Indian men's and women's hockey teams win a medal each
At the 12th South Asian Games held in Guwahati from 5-16 February, both men's and women's team reached the finals after an unbeaten run. The Indian men had to settle with a silver medal after they were handed a 0-1 loss by arch rivals Pakistan in the finals. However, the women's team crushed Sri Lanka 10-0 to clinch the gold medal.
June 2016
India win first medal at the Men's Hockey Champions League
Indian men's team won their first medal at the 2016 Men's Hockey Champions League since its first edition in 1978. After a successful run in the pool games, India faced Australia in the finals. India lost 3-1 in the penalty shoot-outs after the game ended 0-0 in the given time. India's Harmanpreet Singh was named the 'Young Player of the Tournament.'
2016 Rio Olympics
Indian women's team makes it to Olympics after 36 years
Indian women's hockey team scripted history after qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, 36 years after its participation in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. However, the team did not perform well and was out before qualifying for the next round. Indian men's team also qualified for the Olympic games and reached the knock-out stage before losing to Belgium.
October
Indian men clinch gold at Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
Indian men's hockey team continued their great form and went on to win their second title at the 2016 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in Malaysia. Apart from a draw 1-1 against South Korea, India dominated all their matches and won by huge margins. In the finals, India avenged their South Asian Games loss to defeat Pakistan 3-2 and win the Asian Champions Trophy.
Information
Indian women's team win maiden Asian Champions Trophy
Ranked 12th in the world, the Indian women's hockey team defeated fifth ranked China in the finals of 2016 Asian Women's Hockey Champions Trophy. It was the first title win for the Indian team.
December
Junior hockey team's triumph in World Cup
India's colt lifted the Junior Men's Hockey World Cup after a gap of 15 years at home turf in Lucknow. The Indian team remained undefeated in the tournament and won the finals after registering a 2-1 win over Belgium. Pakistan's junior hockey team had to pull back from the tournament after they missed the deadline to file their players' visas.