Odisha hockey star Shilanand Lakra targets the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after Asian Games gold, overcoming injuries and selection setbacks
Satish Sharma
Three hockey players from Odisha—one woman and two men—returned home with gold medals as members of the Indian hockey teams at the 20th Asian Games, held in Japan earlier this month. Among them was Shilanand Lakra, a product of the SAIL Hockey Academy in Raurkela. For the Indian forward, the gold medal represents one of the biggest achievements of his career after years of hard work, setbacks and perseverance.
Recognisable on the field for his aggressive style of play and the headband that holds back his curly hair, Lakra is delighted with the golden success. But he is far from satisfied. His ambitions extend well beyond the Asian Games, and his eyes are now firmly set on representing India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“No matter how many international matches you play, something always feels incomplete if you have not played in the Olympics,” he says.
A Long Struggle despite His Talent
Born in Kalijapathar village in Kutra block of Sundargarh district, Lakra joined the SAIL Hockey Academy in Raurkela in 2015 to pursue his dream of becoming an international hockey player. His talent soon earned him a place in the Indian junior team, where he made his debut in 2017.
He represented India in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, winning a bronze medal before helping the team secure silver in 2018. That same year, he earned an opportunity to play for the senior Indian team—a significant milestone in his young career.
Lakra was also part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the Asia Cup held in Rajgir, Bihar, in 2025.
So far, he has represented India in 18 international matches at the junior level and 81 at the senior level. His participation in prestigious tournaments, including the FIH Pro League and the World Cup, has given him valuable experience against some of the world’s best hockey players.
Odisha’s tribal communities have produced numerous outstanding hockey players for India.
Traditionally, players from Sundargarh have earned recognition for their defensive skills and midfield play. However, 27-year-old Lakra has been carving out a distinctive identity in Indian hockey’s forward line, challenging the conventional perception of the region’s playing strengths.
His greatest assets are his speed, agility, attacking instinct and ability to penetrate opposition defences to create scoring opportunities. His attacking approach and quick movement make him a dangerous presence in the opposition’s half.
Yet, despite his considerable talent, Lakra had to wait a long time to establish himself as a regular member of the senior Indian team. Missed selection opportunities and injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he was considered relatively inexperienced. Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, an injury denied him another opportunity to compete at the world’s biggest sporting event. Those missed chances remain a source of disappointment for the forward.
Fitness Is His First Priority
Lakra now faces the challenge of maintaining peak fitness, delivering consistent performances and earning the selectors’ confidence. The Asian Games gold medal is an important milestone in his journey, but it is not his final destination.
Like countless other athletes, he dreams of wearing the Indian jersey at the Olympics and representing his country on the biggest stage in world sport.
India’s men’s hockey team secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics after winning the gold medal at the Asian Games. The achievement has brought Lakra’s Olympic dream another step closer, offering him a fresh opportunity to pursue the ambition that has driven him throughout his career.
Employed as a manager with Bharat Petrolium ( BPCL) Lakra knows that the next two years will be crucial. Staying injury-free, maintaining his physical condition and performing consistently will be essential if he is to secure a place in India’s Olympic squad.
“Fitness is my first priority. I have to remain completely fit over the next two years so that I can play in Los Angeles,” he says.
Rajukant Saini, who coached Lakra at the SAIL Hockey Academy in Raurkela, has long admired the forward’s talent and ambition. He believes that a player of Lakra’s speed and attacking ability deserved to establish himself as a regular member of the Indian team much earlier.
Lakra’s attacking instincts and ability to change the course of a match make him a valuable asset. His journey, however, also reflects the uncertainty that athletes often face while trying to secure a permanent place in a highly competitive national team”.
For now, his immediate focus is on the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali later this month. Selected for the Indian squad, Lakra will be eager to help the team win the title.
The tournament offers him another opportunity to demonstrate his form and strengthen his claim for a place in India’s long-term plans.
But beyond the immediate challenge lies the dream that continues to inspire him: playing at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
For a young hockey player who emerged from the rich sporting tradition of tribal Sundargarh, the journey has already brought international recognition and an Asian Games gold medal. Yet, for Shilanand Lakra, the ultimate goal remains clear.
The Asian Games gold is a proud achievement. But wearing the Indian jersey at the Olympics and representing his country on the world’s greatest sporting stage remains his biggest dream.
(The author is a Senior Sports Journalist. Views expressed are personal.)
