A first-place finish is considered better than third in most sporting contexts. But Indian’s hockey latest bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday is a lot more precious than the 1975 World Cup win, insists former India captain Ashok Kumar, son of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.

Ashok, a two-time Olympian, scored the match-winner as India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to win its first and only hockey World Cup title. “I have an Olympic bronze medal [1972 Munich Games], so I know its significance, but that was way back.