Olympic gold medalist Imran Sherwani has passed away at the age of 63, his family confirmed on Thursday. He was best known for scoring two goals in Britain’s historic 3-1 victory over West Germany in the 1988 Olympic field hockey final in Seoul.
His second goal during the match led to one of the most memorable commentary moments in Olympic history. BBC commentator Barry Davies famously shouted, “Where were the Germans? But frankly, who cares!” The moment has remained iconic in British sporting culture.
Imran Sherwani was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in December 2019. He publicly shared his condition two years later. Despite his illness, his legacy in the world of hockey continued to inspire players, fans, and officials.
Throughout his career, Sherwani earned 49 international caps for England and represented Britain in 45 matches. His contributions to the sport extended beyond the Olympic win. He also secured silver medals for England at the 1986 World Cup and the 1987 European Championship.
In a statement shared on the EuroHockey website, Sherwani’s family described him as much more than a sports legend. They remembered him as a loving husband, father, and a warm-hearted person who touched many lives. “Imran will be profoundly missed, but his legacy will remain with us always,” the family said.
Tributes poured in from across the hockey world. EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann praised Sherwani as “one of the very best” and said his performance in the 1988 final “will go down in history” as an iconic Olympic moment.
England Hockey CEO Rich Beer also honored Imran Sherwani, calling him a true icon of the sport. He highlighted Sherwani’s kindness and passion, noting that he enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.
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Sherwani leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in international hockey, celebrated for both his achievements and his character.
