From enemies to soulmates: Hockey legend PR Sreejesh recalls his Bollywood style love story with wife Aneeshya

Initially, he harbored animosity towards her for outshining him academically. However, as fate would have it, animosity transformed into affection, much like the plot of a Bollywood film. This is how the love story between P R Sreejesh and Aneeshya blossomed at the GVN Sports School in Kerala. Over time, the talented long jumper reciprocated his feelings and embraced the future national hockey goalkeeper as her life partner. Sreejesh, who recently retired from the national team following the Paris Olympics, shared the details of his love story during a recent discussion with PTI editors. He spoke openly about how he fell in love with Aneeshya, revealing that he was already a student at the sports school in Kannur when she enrolled in 2001.

"I was a bright student, top of the class. I was a superstar, the teacher's pet and favourite of everyone. She came and suddenly I see, she was better than me, scoring well in everything. I would score between 35 to 42 out of 50, she was getting 49, straight up 50. So I started to hate her; we became enemies and that's how it was before love blossomed," he said.

Their enduring love has spanned over two decades, with more than 10 of those years spent as a married couple. A clear testament to their bond can be seen in Sreejesh's hockey sticks at the Paris Olympics - her name was delicately etched on a customised stick that the charismatic 36-year-old goalkeeper used during the Games. Sreejesh's remarkable career, boasting 336 international caps, came to a close with a second consecutive bronze medal for India.

Aneeshya, now a respected Ayurveda doctor, exchanged vows with Sreejesh in 2013 in a private temple ceremony, attended only by close family and friends.

During a recent interview with PTI Bhasha, she shared her conflicting emotions regarding Sreejesh's decision to retire from international competition. Although she expressed joy at the prospect of spending more time with him at home, she also acknowledged that the sports enthusiast within her would miss his commanding presence in the Indian goalpost.

Sreejesh disclosed that when he first began his hockey career, his main goal was to secure a stable job. This was not only important for his own future, but also played a significant role in convincing Aneeshya's parents that he was a suitable match for her.

"...in Kerala before approaching the girl's father, you have to be financially secure," he said.

Sreejesh and Aneeshya are proud parents of two children, their son Sreeansh and daughter Anusree. Interestingly, their names are engraved on the hockey sticks that Sreejesh used during his Olympic Games matches.

It is evident that Sreejesh has achieved great success in both his personal and professional life. He married the love of his life and went on to become a legendary figure in the sport he is passionate about. His story mirrors the romantic tales often depicted in Bollywood films, where love and success go hand in hand.

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