Swapnil Kusale made history on August 1, 2024, by winning the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics, marking India’s third medal in shooting during these Games.
This achievement not only highlights Kusale’s skill but also cements his place in Indian shooting history as the first athlete to earn an Olympic medal in this particular event.
Swapnil Kusale’s journey to the podium was marked by a strong performance under pressure. He finished the qualification round in seventh place with a score of 590, which included 38 inner tens. In the final, he scored 451.4 points, with breakdowns of 153.3 in kneeling, 156.8 in prone, and 195 in standing positions.
The final consisted of three rounds, each featuring 15 shots in kneeling, prone, and standing positions, followed by an elimination round. Swapnil Kusale’s consistent shooting allowed him to climb up the standings after the initial rounds, ultimately securing a spot on the podium.
Paris Olympics 2024 50m rifle: Medal Details
Gold Medal: Y.K. Liu from China with 463.6 points
Silver Medal: S. Kulish from Ukraine with 461.3 points
Bronze Medal: Swapnil Kusale with 451.4 points
This bronze adds to India’s medal tally, which includes two other shooting medals: Manu Bhaker’s bronze in the 10m air pistol and a mixed team bronze in the same event alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Swapnil’s medal is significant as it represents India’s first Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. Previously, Indian shooters have excelled in other categories, with notable achievements including Abhinav Bindra’s gold in the 10m air rifle at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Gagan Narang’s bronze in the same event at London 2012.
Before competing in Paris, Swapnil Kusale secured his Olympic quota by finishing fourth at the World Championships in Cairo.
This was his first Olympic appearance, and his performance reflects the rigorous training and preparation he underwent leading up to the Games.