NEW DELHI: In a momentous triumph for India, shooter Swapnil Kusale secured India’s third bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position final on Thursday. Swapnil’s victory joins the successes of fellow shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, marking a historic hat-trick of shooting medals for India in a single Olympic edition.
The 28-year-old shooter, who had just qualified for the men’s 50m rifle 3 position final a day before, made history by becoming India’s first Olympic medalist in this category. Adding to the significance of his achievement is the fact that this was Swapnil’s maiden Olympic appearance. Less than three months ago, he secured his place in Paris by excelling in the final Olympic trials held at the MP State Shooting Academy Ranges in Bhopal.
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Originally hailing from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Swapnil’s journey to the podium was fraught with near-misses and heartbreaks. At the 2023 Shooting World Championships in Baku and the Asian Games in China, he narrowly missed out on medals, finishing fourth on both occasions. In the Tokyo Olympics final, Swapnil also struggled, ranking sixth after the kneeling event and fifth after prone. However, his relentless determination and focus during the standing position allowed him to climb the ranks steadily, ultimately overcoming his past disappointments.
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Swapnil’s performance in Paris extends India’s medal tally to three, interestingly, all of which have come from India’s shooting contingent, demonstrating the resilience, grit and talent of Indian shooters on the world stage. His bronze medal win is a testament to his perseverance and dedication, inspiring many aspiring athletes back home.
As India celebrates this outstanding occasion, the nation’s hopes and expectations for more shining medals at the Paris Olympics continue to rise.