Swapnil Kusale Secures Historic Olympic Bronze in Shooting

Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won the first ever Olympic bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. He secured the medal with a score of 451.4 in the final, making it India's third shooting medal at the Paris Games. Previously, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won bronzes in air pistol events.

Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale clinched the first ever Olympic bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, elevating India's overall medal tally to three at the ongoing Paris Games on Thursday.

Kusale achieved an aggregate score of 451.4 in the eight-shooter final, climbing to the third spot after initially being placed sixth.

The 28-year-old's bronze follows the outstanding accomplishments of Manu Bhaker, who secured the women's 10m air pistol bronze and a mixed team 10m air pistol bronze with Sarabjot Singh.

Notably, all three of India's medals so far have come from shooting events at the Paris Olympics.

This achievement rekindles memories from the 2012 London Olympics, when Joydeep Karmakar finished fourth in the now-discontinued 50m rifle prone event.

Kusale, drawing inspiration from cricket legend MS Dhoni, began his career as a ticket collector.

(With inputs from agencies.)