<p>Veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Srejeesh on Monday won the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year for his 2021 performances, becoming only the second Indian to receive the accolade.</p>.<p>In 2020, Indian women's hockey captain Rani Rampal became the first Indian to win the honour for her performances in 2019.</p>.<p>Sreejsh beat competition from sport climber Alberto Ginés López of Spain and Italy's wushu player Michele Giordano for the award.</p>.<p>"I'm very honoured to win this award. First of all, a big thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and secondly thanks to all the Indian hockey lovers around the world, who voted for me," Sreejesh said in a statement.</p>.<p>Sreejesh, a former India hockey captain and part of the Tokyo Olympics-bronze medal-winning side, received 1,27,647 votes, whereas Lopez and Giordano accumulated 67,428 and 52,046 votes respectively.</p>.<p>Sreejesh was the only Indian nominated and was recommended by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).</p>.<p>In the FIH Stars Awards in October, Sreejesh was named the goalkeeper of the year for 2021.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Srejeesh on Monday won the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year for his 2021 performances, becoming only the second Indian to receive the accolade.</p>.<p>In 2020, Indian women's hockey captain Rani Rampal became the first Indian to win the honour for her performances in 2019.</p>.<p>Sreejsh beat competition from sport climber Alberto Ginés López of Spain and Italy's wushu player Michele Giordano for the award.</p>.<p>"I'm very honoured to win this award. First of all, a big thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and secondly thanks to all the Indian hockey lovers around the world, who voted for me," Sreejesh said in a statement.</p>.<p>Sreejesh, a former India hockey captain and part of the Tokyo Olympics-bronze medal-winning side, received 1,27,647 votes, whereas Lopez and Giordano accumulated 67,428 and 52,046 votes respectively.</p>.<p>Sreejesh was the only Indian nominated and was recommended by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).</p>.<p>In the FIH Stars Awards in October, Sreejesh was named the goalkeeper of the year for 2021.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>