FIH Hero World Rankings updated following conclusion of Rio 2016 Olympic hockey events
Australia men and Netherlands women retain top spots
Olympic gold medallists Argentina men and Great Britain women climb to second in rankings
Following the conclusion of the sensational men’s and women’s hockey events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the latest FIH Hero World Rankings.
Olympic gold medallists Argentina men and Great Britain women (using England’s ranking) both entered Rio 2016 sitting seventh in the rankings, but their stunning title successes has seen both climb rapidly up the tables to second.
In the men’s FIH Hero World Rankings, Australia’s Kookaburras – who finished in sixth place in Rio – remain in first place, but newly crowned Olympic champions Argentina earned enough points to move up five places to second.
Argentina’s Los Leones sit just ahead of fourth place finishers and now third ranked Netherlands, with Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallists Germany moving down one place to fourth in the rankings.
Olympic silver medallists Belgium move up one place to fifth, with India being pushed down into sixth and England (Great Britain) down from fourth to seventh.
Spain’s excellent performances at Rio 2016 saw them finish in fifth in the Olympic standings, enough to see them re-enter the top ten to sit ninth in the rankings.
Ireland’s history making Olympic performances have also paid off, with a 10th place finish in Rio moving them up to 10th in the rankings table.
On the women’s side of things, Great Britain’s shoot-out victory over the Netherlands saw them claim gold and move up to second in the FIH Hero World Rankings (as England), just behind top ranked Netherlands, while Argentina drop down to third place after a seventh place finish in Rio.
Australia, New Zealand and USA all move down one place to fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, with Olympic bronze medallists Germany climbing two places from ninth to seventh.
Another climber is Spain, moving up from 14th to 11th thanks to their eighth place finish at the Olympic Games.
The next update to the FIH Hero World Rankings will be published following the completion of the Hockey World League Round 1 events later this year. For a complete guide to the FIH Hero World Rankings, click here.
The FIH Hero World Rankings were updated following the completion of two wonderful weeks of world class hockey that was both thrilling and utterly unpredictable.
Along with Argentina’s success in the men’s competition on Thursday (18 August), Great Britain’s victory on Friday (19 August) means that both Olympic hockey gold medals have gone to first time winners.
Complete information about the hockey competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games can still be found on the official website: rio2016.com/en/hockey
