On Thursday, Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is India’s first Olympic medal in this category and its third overall in rifle shooting, following Abhinav Bindra’s gold in men’s 10m air rifle in Beijing 2008 and Gagan Narang’s bronze in the same event in London 2012.
“I have a lot of emotions right now,” Kusale said. “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.”
Kusale finished sixth out of 15 kneeling shots at the National Shooting Centre in Châteauroux. However, steady shooting in the prone and standing positions propelled the 28-year-old to third at the end of stage one. Kusale maintained his lead with 10.5, 9.4, and 9.9 in stage 2, earning bronze with a total of 451.4.
China’s Liu Yukun won gold with 463.6, while Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish took silver with 461.3.
India has won three shooting medals at Paris 2024, with Manu Bhaker securing two bronzes in the women’s 10m air pistol events.
