Swapnil Kusale has etched his name in the annals of Olympic history by clinching the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This accomplishment marks the third shooting medal for India, demonstrating the nation’s growing prowess in the sport.
On Thursday, the 28-year-old Kusale showcased his exceptional skill at the National Shooting Centre in Châteauroux. In the final, he secured a total score of 195 in the standing position, complementing his earlier scores of 156.8 in the prone position and 153.3 in the kneeling position. Kusale, who had placed seventh in the qualifying round with a total score of 590, impressed with 38 inner tens (Xs) across all three positions.
Kusale’s achievement is historic as he is the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in this particular event. The 50m rifle 3 positions final consists of three rounds, each featuring 15 shots from kneeling, prone, and standing positions, culminating in an elimination round.
In this thrilling final, China’s Y.K. Liu claimed the gold medal with a score of 463.6 points, while Ukraine’s S. Kulish secured the silver with 461.3 points. Kusale’s performance not only filled India with immense pride but also reinforced his standing as a formidable competitor on the global stage.
This medal adds to India’s shooting achievements at the Paris Games. Earlier in the week, Manu Bhaker earned a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, making history as the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal. Bhaker further cemented her status by winning another bronze with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m pistol mixed team event, becoming the first Indian athlete since independence to secure two medals in a single Olympic Games.
Who is Swapnil Kusale?
Swapnil Kusale, born in 1995 to an agricultural family, works as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) with the Pune Railway Division. His journey in shooting began at Maharashtra’s Krida Prabhodini, a foundational sports programme introduced by his father. After a year of rigorous training, Kusale chose shooting as his sport.
In 2015, Kusale earned a gold medal in the junior category for the 50m rifle prone event at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait. He continued to make headlines by outperforming renowned shooters Gagan Narang and Chain Singh at the 59th National Shooting Championship in Tughlakabad. Kusale’s winning streak continued at the 61st National Championship in Thiruvananthapuram, where he clinched a gold medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.
Swapnil Kusale’s historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics highlights India’s burgeoning talent in shooting sports. His remarkable achievement adds to the country’s growing Olympic success, reflecting the hard work and dedication of Indian athletes on the world stage.
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