Olympic Hockey Legend Imran Sherwani Passes Away at 63

Imran Sherwani, the former Great Britain and England hockey star celebrated for his pivotal performance in the 1988 Olympic final, has passed away at the age of 63, his family confirmed. Sherwani played a defining role in Great Britain’s historic gold-medal victory at the Seoul Olympics, a triumph that ended a 68-year wait for an Olympic title in men’s hockey and remains the team’s most recent podium finish at the Games.

Throughout his international career, Sherwani earned 94 caps for England and Great Britain, featuring 49 times for England and 45 times for Great Britain. He was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and accomplished defenders of his era. His achievements also included a silver medal with England at the 1986 World Cup and another silver at the 1987 European Championship.

Beyond his sporting accomplishments, Sherwani faced significant challenges in later life. He was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in December 2019 and publicly shared the news two years later in hopes of raising awareness about the condition. His family said that while the world knew him as an Olympic champion, they would remember him most as a loving family man known for his humour, kindness and enduring warmth.

Tributes from the global hockey community poured in following his passing. EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann praised him as one of the finest players of his generation, noting that his performance in the 1988 final remains one of the sport’s defining moments. England Hockey CEO Rich Beer also honoured his legacy, describing Sherwani as a true icon whose impact extended far beyond the field.