Swapnil Kusale Makes History with Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle

Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale made history by securing the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking India’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal in this event. This achievement adds to India’s illustrious rifle shooting legacy, following Abhinav Bindra’s gold in men’s 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008 and Gagan Narang’s bronze in the same event at London 2012.

A Dream Come True

Expressing his joy, Kusale said, “I have a lot of emotions right now. This medal means a lot. It is not a gold, but I am pleased I got a medal. To get an Olympic medal is a dream.”

Consistent Performance

Competing at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux, Kusale began in sixth place after the first 15 shots in the kneeling position, scoring 153.3, just two points behind the leader, Norwegian shooter Jon-Hermann. With steady performances in the prone and standing positions, the 28-year-old Indian shooter climbed to third by the end of stage 1, ensuring his place among the top competitors as the bottom two shooters were eliminated.

Securing the Medal

In stage 2, where eliminations occurred after every single shot, Kusale showcased his consistency. He shot 10.5, 9.4, and 9.9, securing his position in the top three and confirming his medal. Although a subsequent 10.0 shot wasn’t enough to keep him in the running for gold, Kusale finished strong with a total score of 451.4.