Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
A Story of Excellence in Shooting and Service
Swapnil Kusale Makes History with Bronze in 50m Rifle 3 Position Shooting
Posted On: 01 AUG 2024 5:42PM
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
*****
Santosh Kumar/Sarla Meena/Sheetal Angral/Ritu Kataria/Apoorva Mahiwal
(Backgrounder ID: 151983)
Visitor Counter : 62