Swapnil Kusale: From Railway Ticket Collector to Olympic Finalist

Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, finds inspiration in M S Dhoni, also once a railway ticket collector. Kusale's calm demeanor resembles that of Dhoni. Debuting at the Paris Games, he aims for a top-three finish.

Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, draws inspiration from M S Dhoni, who was also a railway ticket collector early in his career.

Kusale, 29, from Kambalwadi village in Maharashtra, has been competing internationally since 2012 and making his Olympics debut at the Paris Games after a 12-year wait. Reflecting on the attributes necessary for success in shooting, Kusale emphasizes calmness and patience—traits synonymous with Dhoni's personality.

''I don't follow anyone specific in the shooting world. Outside of that, I admire Dhoni for the person that he is. My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was,'' Kusale told PTI.