How pickle juice helped the Indian women’s hockey team achieve Olympic history

One of the most crucial factors in this team’s success has been its fitness levels

The missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics but made the nation – long-starved of Olympic glory in hockey — dream again. After losing its first three pool games, the team bounced back to win the next three matches — including the quarterfinal against the world number two Australia — to reach the semifinals. One of the most crucial factors in this team’s success has been its fitness levels. The sweltering conditions in Tokyo were unforgiving and the Indians played five of their eight games under the beating sun. Strength and conditioning coach Wayne Lombard’s ingenious idea - to use pickle juice to help the players recover and avoid cramps – helped the girls to give their best in trying conditions.