Manuel Frederick, Kerala’s first Olympic medallist, passes away

Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick passed away at the age of 78 in Bengaluru on Friday.

Fredrick was the first athlete from Kerala to win an Olympic medal, after he helped the Indian hockey team win a bronze at the 1972 Munich games.

Manuel Fredericks in action during the Bombay Gold Cup tournament in 1979.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU ARCHIVES

In 2019, he awarded the Dhyan Chand Award for his contribution to sports.

Published on Oct 31, 2025