Swapnil Kusale clinched India’s third medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing third in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux. With a score of 451.4 points, Kusale delivered an exceptional performance amidst fierce competition, becoming the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in this event. This marks the first time the Indian shooting team has won three medals in a single Olympic edition.
The 50m rifle 3 positions event involves shooting from kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Shooters fire three series of five shots each in kneeling and prone positions. After the 40th shot in the standing position, eliminations begin, with the two lowest-scoring shooters being eliminated. Subsequent shots continue to determine the final rankings.
Kneeling: Kusale had a slow start, scoring 50.8 in the first series and 50.9 in the second. He improved slightly with a 51.6 in the third series, totaling 153.3, placing him sixth. A strong performance in the prone position was crucial for his chances.
Prone: Kusale improved his scores, with 52.7, 52.2, and 51.9 in the three series, totaling 310.1 and moving him to fifth place. The final standing position would be decisive.
Standing: After a nine-minute break, shooters took aim in two series of five shots each. Norway’s John Hermann led with 312.1, followed by China’s Yukun Liu (311.5) and Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish (311.1). Kusale started in fifth place with 310.1 but climbed to fourth with 361.2 after the first series. He scored 10.6, 10.3, 9.1, 10.1, and 10.3, moving to third with 411.6.
Eliminations:
Sixth Place: Kusale held third place with 422.1 as France’s Lucas exited.Fifth Place: Despite a 9.4, Kusale retained his position, with the Norwegian competitor eliminated (430.2).
Fourth Place: Kusale’s 9.9 secured his spot, with the Czech competitor exiting.
Third Place: Kusale’s 10.0 surpassed Kulish’s 9.9, earning him the bronze medal with a final score of 451.4.
China’s Yukun Liu won the gold with 463.6 points, and Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish took silver with 461.3 points. Kusale’s performance not only made India proud but also underscored his expertise in shooting sports, establishing him as a formidable global competitor.
Swapnil Kusale, born in 1995 into an agricultural family, works as a Travelling Ticket Examiner with the Pune Railway Division. His journey began at Maharashtra’s Krida Prabhodini, where he chose shooting after intensive physical training. He won gold in the 50m rifle prone event at the Asian Shooting Championships in 2015 and has continued to excel in national championships.
This bronze medal is India’s third in shooting at the Paris Olympics 2024. The first came from Manu Bhaker in the women’s 10m air pistol event, followed by another bronze in the 10m pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh. Bhaker made history as the first post-independence Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition.
