On this day in 2024: Swapnil Kusale wins India's first Olympic medal in 50m rifle 3 positions
Swapnil Kusale is only the third Indian Olympic medallist in rifle shooting.
Swapnil Kusale, who bought his first rifle with money earned as a railway ticket collector, made history on this day, August 1, at the Paris Olympics 2024.
A year ago, the boy from Kambalwadi village etched his name into the record books in a sport where India has rarely failed to shine on the Olympic stage—shooting. He became India’s first-ever Olympic medallist in the men’s 50 metre rifle three positions event.
India, with a contingent of 117 athletes, traveled to the capital city of France and returned from the Paris Olympics with six medals. Three of them in shooting, all earned historically.
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The first came from Manu Bhaker, who opened India’s medal tally by winning a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Soon after, India bagged its second medal, again a bronze, in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, with Bhaker teaming up with Sarabjot Singh.
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Then, Swapnil Kusale clinched a historic medal on Day 6 of the Games, securing a bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event with a final score of 451.4. Kusale had earlier advanced to the eight-man final by finishing seventh in the qualifiers with a total score of 590.
This was India’s first-ever Olympic medal in the 50m 3P event, and only the country’s third Olympic medal in rifle shooting. Earlier, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle in 2008. After this, Gagan Narang won the bronze medal in the same event in the 2012 London Olympics.
Kusale’s shooting story is inspiring. The 28-year-old has come a long way to fulfill his Olympic dream.
He began his career in 2009 through the Maharashtra government’s Krida Prabhodini sports programme. However, due to circumstances, he had to take up a job as a ticket collector with Indian Railways in Pune.
With the money he earned there, Kusale bought his first rifle — a decision that would shape his future. His efforts bore fruit when, in 2015, he won gold in the 50m rifle prone 3 positions (junior category) at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait.
Where does Swapnil Kusale come from?
Swapnil Kusale was born on August 6, 1995, in Kambalwadi village, Kolhapur district.
How did Swapnil Kusale buy his first rifle?
He bought his first rifle with the money he earned working as a ticket collector for Indian Railways in Pune.
When did Swapnil Kusale win his first Olympic medal?
Swapnil Kusale won his first and only Olympic medal so far at the Paris Games 2024.
Which record did Swapnil Kusale set at Paris 2024?
He became India’s first-ever Olympic medallist in the men’s 50 metre rifle three positions event.
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