Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze Medal in 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s Event -

Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze Medal in 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s Event
India Secures Third Medal at Paris 2024 Olympics

In a historic achievement, Swapnil Kusale has become the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position (3P) event at the Paris Olympics. Swapnil, a Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athlete, showcased remarkable resilience and precision. He steadily climbed the ranks to finish 3rd with a total score of 451.4 points, securing a Bronze medal for the nation. This is India’s third medal at the Paris Olympics, with all three coming from shooting events.

Qualification Round:

Swapnil qualified for the final round after finishing 7th in the qualification stage, where he scored a total of 590 points. His consistent performance secured his place among the top contenders in the event.

Key Government Interventions and Financial Assistance (Paris Cycle):

Procurement of Ammunition: Essential resources provided to maintain high performance in shooting.
Domestic Training with a Personal Coach: Personalized coaching, targeted guidance and support provided to refine skills and enhance performance.
TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme): Rs. 17,58,557/-
Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC): Rs. 1,42,69,647/-

Achievements:

Swapnil Kusale’s journey to this historic Olympic medal has been decorated with numerous achievements:

World Championship, Cairo (2022): Finished 4th, winning an Olympic quota place for India.
Asian Games 2022: Gold medal in the Team event.
World Cup, Baku (2023): Gold in mixed team event and two silver medals in individual & team events.
World Championship, Cairo (2022): Bronze medal in the team event.
World Cup, New Delhi (2021): Gold medal in the team event.

Background:

Born on August 6, 1995, in Pune, Swapnil Kusale comes from an agricultural family. His journey into sports began in 2009 when his father enrolled him in Maharashtra government’s primary sports program, Krida Prabhodini. After one year of hardcore physical training, he had to choose one sport and he chose shooting. In 2013, he became sponsored by Lakshya Sports.

In 2015, he won gold in 50m rifle prone 3 in the junior category in 2015 Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait. He also won the 59th National Shooting Championship held in Tughlakabad ahead of Gagan Narang and Chain Singh in the 50m rifle prone event. He repeated the same performance in 61st National Championship in Thiruvananthapuram by winning a gold in 50m rifle 3 position.

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A Story of Excellence in Shooting and Service

Swapnil Kusale Makes History with Bronze in 50m Rifle 3 Position Shooting

Swapnil Kusale has inscribed his name in history by becoming the first Indian shooter to bag a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position (3P) Men’s event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With a remarkable final-round performance, Kusale scored 451.4, securing the third position and becoming the first Indian shooter to achieve this feat in the 50m Rifle 3P category.

The bronze medal won by Kusale is the third for India at the Paris Olympics, with all three medals coming from shooting events. His qualification for the final round was secured by finishing 7th in the preliminary rounds with a score of 590.

The Shooting Start of Swapnil Kusale

Swapnil Kusale was born in 1995 in Pune, in a family with an agricultural background. In 2009, his father enrolled him in the Maharashtra government’s primary programme dedicated to Sports, Krida Prabhodini. After one year of hardcore physical training, he had to choose one sport and he chose shooting.

By 2013, his talent was becoming more widely known and Lakshya Sports, a non-profit organization, began offering him financial aid to continue shooting. After some impressive performances at the junior level, he was given a job in the Indian railways, which allowed him to fund his continued participation in the sport. Swapnil represented Railways in National Shooting Championship Competitions.

Milestones in Swapnil Kusale’s Shooting Career

The 28-year-old shooter from Pune has had a distinguished career with several notable achievements. It began in 2015 when he won gold in 50m rifle prone 3 in the junior category at the 2015 Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait. He also won the 59th National Shooting Championship held in Tughlakabad ahead of Gagan Narang and Chain Singh in the 50m rifle-prone event. He repeated the same performance in the 61st National Championship in Thiruvananthapuram by winning a gold in the 50m rifle 3 position.

World Championship, Cairo (2022) – Secured a Paris 2024 quota place by coming fourth in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2022 World Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
Gold medallist in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games (held in 2023). The Indian team of Kusale, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Akhil Sheoran set a world record of 1769 points as they took the title.
Three-time medallist at the 2022 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan (one gold, two silver).
Secured Gold medal in team event in World Cup 2021, New Delhi.

Swapnil Kusale was also honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award at the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards in Maharashtra, India, for the 2016/17 period.

Key Government Interventions

Kusale’s success at the Olympics is a testament to the robust support provided under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). His training and preparation were bolstered by assistance including procurement of ammunition, domestic training with a personal coach, and financial support, amounting to Rs.17,58,557 from TOPS and Rs.1,42,69,647 under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC).

Swapnil Kusale’s journey from his roots in Pune to becoming a prominent figure in Indian shooting is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. As a Railway ticket examiner, Swapnil balances his professional duties with his passion for shooting, embodying the spirit of excellence both on and off the field. His story inspires many, reflecting the remarkable impact of hard work and determination.

References

A Story of Excellence in Shooting and Service

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