Born into poverty in Mithapur, Punjab, he faced daunting challenges from a young age, with his family struggling to meet basic needs.

Manpreet, 32, was the captain of the Indian Hockey team that broke a 41-year-old Olympic medal drought in Tokyo by bagging the bronze. Besides, he has been a member of the team that won the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games gold medals.

India's eight-time Olympic champions last secured an Olympic medal, a bronze, in the Tokyo 2020 games, marking a revival of the sport's golden era.