Inspired by Virat Kohli, India's Manpreet Singh redefines longevity in hockey
Modelling himself on Virat Kohli, Manpreet Singh continues to defy age in his bid to keep his LA Olympics dream alive. India's most-capped player, however, insists that his fitness will ultimately determine how long the journey continues.
At 33, Manpreet Singh is an anomaly in Indian hockey. More often than not, players who cross the age of 30 are slowly shown the door. Unless you are as talented as Sardar Singh or as indispensable in your role as PR Sreejesh was, one poor performance can make all the difference.
For Manpreet, however, it has always been about reinventing himself and being ready to play whatever role the team needs. Since making his Olympic debut in 2012, the midfielder has embraced different responsibilities, even describing himself as the 'aloo' in every curry, fitting in seamlessly and enhancing the flavour.
Having started out as an attacking midfielder, he has evolved into the conductor of the Indian team's orchestra in recent years. Whether launching a counterattack, tracking back in defence or contributing during penalty corners, Manpreet has been everywhere, doing whatever the team requires of him.
Perhaps that is why he has endured for so long in one of the most gruelling sports, becoming India's most-capped player in the process. During India's Pro League win over Germany, Manpreet once again proved to be the team's vital link, knitting play together as India defeated the world champions 3-1.
At the heart of that longevity, however, has been a remarkable physical transformation. Unhappy with his fitness levels after the Paris Olympics, Manpreet set out to reinvent himself, pushing his body to new limits and giving even his younger teammates a run for their money.
His renewed confidence even prompted him to throw down a light-hearted challenge to Virat Kohli, widely regarded as the benchmark for fitness in Indian sport. After Kohli praised the fitness standards of the Indian hockey team, Manpreet responded by inviting the star batter to train with the national side.
So has Kohli responded yet?
MODELLING AROUND KOHLI
Not quite, according to Manpreet. The veteran midfielder clarified that the challenge was made in jest, though it reflected the immense admiration he has for Kohli's dedication to fitness.
"First of all, Paaji, nothing like that has happened with him yet. But definitely it was just for fun because everyone knows Virat is a fitness freak. He always stays fit.
"For every athlete, he is an idol. Everyone learns from him how to stay fit. I think he is now 36 years old, and he has maintained his fitness very well," Manpreet told India Today during a virtual interaction.
Manpreet has long modelled himself on Kohli's fitness mantra, drawing inspiration from the cricket superstar's discipline and commitment to excellence. It also helps that the two share a common sporting idol in Cristiano Ronaldo.
"And definitely I also learn many things from him because the way he stays aggressive on the ground, stays focused and gives his hundred percent. He is also a Ronaldo fan, I am also a Ronaldo fan, so we both follow the same things. He is very inspiring for everyone and I also learn a lot from him," Manpreet said.
FITNESS OVER LA 28 DREAM
The last few months have been tough for Manpreet. The veteran found himself out of the side after being rested, amid reports of indiscipline.
Then came reports that Hockey India was preventing him from surpassing the all-time caps record held by current president Dilip Tirkey, casting fresh doubt over his future with the national team.
Yet, even amid the speculation, Manpreet remained unwavering in his approach. While others debated his future, he kept his attention fixed on the one factor he believes will ultimately determine whether he reaches the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: fitness.
"The last few months have been quite eventful. A lot has happened, there has been a lot of noise-people wondering what will happen and what won't. But throughout that period, my focus was simply on maintaining my fitness.
"That was my first priority. I always say that LA (the Los Angeles Olympics) is my target, but before that, I have to maintain my fitness. That's the most important thing for me. If I want to play for a long time, my fitness has to stay at a high level. Otherwise, even I wouldn't want to continue playing.
"I don't want to be selected for the team just because of my reputation while being unfit. I want my fitness level to remain high-better than the younger players as well. Only then do I deserve to stay in the team. That's my personal belief," Manpreet said.
That mindset perhaps explains why Manpreet continues to defy convention in Indian hockey. For him, longevity is not about reputation, past achievements or records. It is about earning his place every single day. As long as he can match, and even outperform, the younger generation in the fitness stakes, the dream of one final Olympic appearance remains very much alive.
Recently, Manpreet revealed that he took stock of his future ahead of the World Cup and the Asian Games before deciding to continue, with the Los Angeles Olympics firmly in his sights.
Yet, the veteran midfielder insisted he would have no hesitation in walking away from the sport if he felt he could no longer meet the physical demands of international hockey.
"Even when all those discussions and speculation were going on, my mindset was that I'd first see how my fitness was until the Asian Games. If I remained fit, I'd continue playing. Recently, all the fitness tests we've had have gone very well, and my results have been excellent. That's when I made the decision that yes, I can continue.
"But even now, this remains true: if by the Asian Games or even next year I feel I can't maintain my fitness level, I can rethink things even before then. But as of now, my target is definitely LA. Before that, it's all about improving my fitness step by step. We have the World Cup, the Asian Games, then next year's tournaments, and finally LA," Manpreet told India Today.
The ambition, however, remains as strong as ever. Manpreet believes age is merely a number and points to Belgian greats John-John Dohmen and Tom Boon as proof that elite players can continue performing at the highest level well into their thirties.
"If I talk about the future, there's John-John Dohmen from Belgium. He's the most-capped hockey player in the world. I think he was around 36 or 37 when he played his last Olympics recently.
"So, age is just a number. What's really important is how well you keep your body fit. I was recently talking to Tom Boon. He's already 36, and his target is also to play until the LA Olympics.
"If someone who's 36 can aim for LA, then I'm only 33. So I don't think being 35 or 36 is a big deal. It all depends on how well you take care of your body and maintain your fitness," he said.
For Manpreet, the road to Los Angeles will not be defined by age, milestones or reputation. It will be determined by the same principle that has sustained him throughout a career spanning more than a decade: fitness. As long as his body keeps responding and his performances continue to justify his place, India's most-capped player sees no reason to stop chasing one final Olympic dream.
At 33, Manpreet Singh is an anomaly in Indian hockey. More often than not, players who cross the age of 30 are slowly shown the door. Unless you are as talented as Sardar Singh or as indispensable in your role as PR Sreejesh was, one poor performance can make all the difference.
For Manpreet, however, it has always been about reinventing himself and being ready to play whatever role the team needs. Since making his Olympic debut in 2012, the midfielder has embraced different responsibilities, even describing himself as the 'aloo' in every curry, fitting in seamlessly and enhancing the flavour.
Having started out as an attacking midfielder, he has evolved into the conductor of the Indian team's orchestra in recent years. Whether launching a counterattack, tracking back in defence or contributing during penalty corners, Manpreet has been everywhere, doing whatever the team requires of him.
Perhaps that is why he has endured for so long in one of the most gruelling sports, becoming India's most-capped player in the process. During India's Pro League win over Germany, Manpreet once again proved to be the team's vital link, knitting play together as India defeated the world champions 3-1.
At the heart of that longevity, however, has been a remarkable physical transformation. Unhappy with his fitness levels after the Paris Olympics, Manpreet set out to reinvent himself, pushing his body to new limits and giving even his younger teammates a run for their money.
His renewed confidence even prompted him to throw down a light-hearted challenge to Virat Kohli, widely regarded as the benchmark for fitness in Indian sport. After Kohli praised the fitness standards of the Indian hockey team, Manpreet responded by inviting the star batter to train with the national side.
So has Kohli responded yet?
MODELLING AROUND KOHLI
Not quite, according to Manpreet. The veteran midfielder clarified that the challenge was made in jest, though it reflected the immense admiration he has for Kohli's dedication to fitness.
"First of all, Paaji, nothing like that has happened with him yet. But definitely it was just for fun because everyone knows Virat is a fitness freak. He always stays fit.
"For every athlete, he is an idol. Everyone learns from him how to stay fit. I think he is now 36 years old, and he has maintained his fitness very well," Manpreet told India Today during a virtual interaction.
Manpreet has long modelled himself on Kohli's fitness mantra, drawing inspiration from the cricket superstar's discipline and commitment to excellence. It also helps that the two share a common sporting idol in Cristiano Ronaldo.
"And definitely I also learn many things from him because the way he stays aggressive on the ground, stays focused and gives his hundred percent. He is also a Ronaldo fan, I am also a Ronaldo fan, so we both follow the same things. He is very inspiring for everyone and I also learn a lot from him," Manpreet said.
FITNESS OVER LA 28 DREAM
The last few months have been tough for Manpreet. The veteran found himself out of the side after being rested, amid reports of indiscipline.
Then came reports that Hockey India was preventing him from surpassing the all-time caps record held by current president Dilip Tirkey, casting fresh doubt over his future with the national team.
Yet, even amid the speculation, Manpreet remained unwavering in his approach. While others debated his future, he kept his attention fixed on the one factor he believes will ultimately determine whether he reaches the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: fitness.
"The last few months have been quite eventful. A lot has happened, there has been a lot of noise-people wondering what will happen and what won't. But throughout that period, my focus was simply on maintaining my fitness.
"That was my first priority. I always say that LA (the Los Angeles Olympics) is my target, but before that, I have to maintain my fitness. That's the most important thing for me. If I want to play for a long time, my fitness has to stay at a high level. Otherwise, even I wouldn't want to continue playing.
"I don't want to be selected for the team just because of my reputation while being unfit. I want my fitness level to remain high-better than the younger players as well. Only then do I deserve to stay in the team. That's my personal belief," Manpreet said.
That mindset perhaps explains why Manpreet continues to defy convention in Indian hockey. For him, longevity is not about reputation, past achievements or records. It is about earning his place every single day. As long as he can match, and even outperform, the younger generation in the fitness stakes, the dream of one final Olympic appearance remains very much alive.
Recently, Manpreet revealed that he took stock of his future ahead of the World Cup and the Asian Games before deciding to continue, with the Los Angeles Olympics firmly in his sights.
Yet, the veteran midfielder insisted he would have no hesitation in walking away from the sport if he felt he could no longer meet the physical demands of international hockey.
"Even when all those discussions and speculation were going on, my mindset was that I'd first see how my fitness was until the Asian Games. If I remained fit, I'd continue playing. Recently, all the fitness tests we've had have gone very well, and my results have been excellent. That's when I made the decision that yes, I can continue.
"But even now, this remains true: if by the Asian Games or even next year I feel I can't maintain my fitness level, I can rethink things even before then. But as of now, my target is definitely LA. Before that, it's all about improving my fitness step by step. We have the World Cup, the Asian Games, then next year's tournaments, and finally LA," Manpreet told India Today.
The ambition, however, remains as strong as ever. Manpreet believes age is merely a number and points to Belgian greats John-John Dohmen and Tom Boon as proof that elite players can continue performing at the highest level well into their thirties.
"If I talk about the future, there's John-John Dohmen from Belgium. He's the most-capped hockey player in the world. I think he was around 36 or 37 when he played his last Olympics recently.
"So, age is just a number. What's really important is how well you keep your body fit. I was recently talking to Tom Boon. He's already 36, and his target is also to play until the LA Olympics.
"If someone who's 36 can aim for LA, then I'm only 33. So I don't think being 35 or 36 is a big deal. It all depends on how well you take care of your body and maintain your fitness," he said.
For Manpreet, the road to Los Angeles will not be defined by age, milestones or reputation. It will be determined by the same principle that has sustained him throughout a career spanning more than a decade: fitness. As long as his body keeps responding and his performances continue to justify his place, India's most-capped player sees no reason to stop chasing one final Olympic dream.
