- By Namrata Vijay
- Thu, 01 Aug 2024 05:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Paris Olympics 2024: The Indian shooting team is currently leading India's medal tally. The Chateauroux shooting ground has proved to be quite lucky for them. The shooting team ended their 12-year medal drought at the mega-event by achieving new milestones. Besides Manu Bhaker, who had won two medals, Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale also made significant contributions, they had recorded their best-ever performance in a single edition of an Olympics.
Swapnil Kusale won the third medal for the shooting team on Thursday, August 1, as he clinched the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event. He created history by becoming the first Indian to have qualified for the summit clash. He maintained his composure throughout the event as China's Liu Yukun won the gold medal. Swapnil, who was a ticket collector, was seen giving his coaching staff hugs, who were present at the shooting center in Paris.
It was Manu Bhaker, who first won the bronze medal in the women's 10m Air pistol final and helped the country open its account in medal tally. Although India had won a medal in shooting at the Olympics between 2004 to 2012, the shooters couldn't live up to the expectations at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. Just one shooter from the 19-member contingent could qualify for the summit clash in the Tokyo Olympics.
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Manu Bhaker doubled the celebration for the country as she clinched the bronze medal with Sarobjit Singh in the mixed 10m air pistol event and then Swapnil Kusale won the third medal on Thursday. Bhaker was also the first athlete of independent India to have won more than one medal in a single edition.
Indian shooting medalists at the Olympics
1. Swapnil Kusale - bronze - men's 50m rifle 3 positions in Paris 2024
2. Manu Bhaker - bronze - women's 10m air pistol in Paris 2024
3. Manu Bhaker/Sarabjot Singh - bronze - 10m air pistol mixed team in Paris 2024
4. Vijay Kumar - Silver in men's 25m rapid fire pistol in London 2012
5. Gagang Narang - Bronze in men's 10m air rifle in London 2012
6. Abhinav Bindra - Gold in men's 10m air rifle in Beijing 2008
7. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore - Silver in men's double trap in 2004 Athens
Except for Tokyo, a lot of Indian shooters had qualified for the summit clash. Arjun Babuta had a heartbreaking result as he finished the fourth position in the men's 10m air rifle event. The contingent will aim to win more medals as shooters like Manu Bhaker (25m pistol) and Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Modugil will be seen in action in the upcoming days. Sift is considered as a top medal contender in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event.