Swapnil Kusale etched his name into Olympic history with a remarkable performance in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Kusale clinched the bronze medal, becoming the first Indian shooter to medal in this prestigious event. His achievement not only marks a personal triumph but also adds to India’s growing tally in Olympic shooting.
BRONZE MEDAL for Swapnil Kusale ___
Swapnil Kusale wins Bronze medal in 50m Rifle 3P (Shooting). #PARIS2024 #Paris2024withIAS pic.twitter.com/FuDpD44Rlj
— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 1, 2024
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A Historic Performance
Swapnil Kusale’s journey to the podium was a testament to his skill and determination. In a gripping final, Kusale finished with an aggregate score of 451.4, securing third place and earning India’s third medal in shooting at the Paris Olympics. This historic win is a significant milestone, as Kusale is the first Indian to win a medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event, highlighting his exceptional talent and the progress of Indian shooting on the global stage.
The final was fiercely contested, with Kusale displaying remarkable consistency and precision. His performance in the qualification round, where he scored 590-38x, saw him secure the seventh spot and qualify for the final. Although he faced tough competition, including a record-setting performance by China’s Liu Yukun, Kusale’s resilience and sharp shooting under pressure were instrumental in his bronze medal win.
Qualification Round Highlights
The qualification round saw intense competition, with only the top eight shooters advancing to the final. Liu Yukun set an Olympic record with a score of 594-38x, showcasing his exceptional prowess. Meanwhile, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, another Indian competitor, narrowly missed out on the final, finishing 11th with a score of 589-33x. Despite Tomar’s disappointing result, Kusale’s performance was a beacon of hope and success for Indian shooting.
Redemption and Triumph for Indian Shooting
Swapnil Kusale’s bronze medal adds to the momentum of Indian shooters at the Paris Olympics. Earlier, Manu Bhaker’s bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event marked India’s first medal in shooting at these Games. Bhaker’s success was a redemption arc, following a malfunction at the Tokyo Olympics that had previously dampened her performance. Her achievement underscored a significant moment for Indian shooting, as she became the first Indian woman in two decades to reach an Olympic final in an individual event.
Additionally, Bhaker, alongside Sarabjot Singh, contributed to India’s medal tally with a bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, defeating South Korea’s Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10. This mixed team event further highlighted the strength and depth of Indian shooting talent.
