In the men’s 50-meter rifle three positions competition, Swapnil Kusale wins a historic bronze medal. With a final score of 451.4, Swapnil secured India’s third medal at the Paris Olympics.
Swapnil has made history in the event by becoming the first Indian to go to the final. Only after the start of the event’s last standing segment did he break into the medal places, having previously hovered around the top 5.
The 28-year-old Indian shooter finished with a total score of 590 in the qualification event yesterday, which included 38 inner 10s (Xs) spread over three locations. He received scores of 195 when standing, 197 while prone, and 198 while kneeling.
The medal for the 28-year-old comes after an outstanding performance by Manu Bhaker, who won the women’s 10m air pistol gold and a bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol competition alongside Sarabjot Singh.
All three of India’s medals to far have come from shooting competitions. Joydeep Karmakar placed fourth in the 50m rifle prone event in London in 2012, the last time a shooter for the 50m rifle made it to the Olympic finals. This discipline has since been eliminated from the games. Former ticket collector Kusale finds motivation in cricket legend MS Dhoni.
India’s Swapnil at the 2022 Asian Games
Kusale, Tomar, and Akhil Sheoran won gold in the team event for the 50m rifle three positions at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.