• By Namrata Vijay
  • Thu, 01 Aug 2024 06:43 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Paris Olympics 2024: Swapnil Kusale scripted history as he became the first Indian shooter to have won an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle three positions in the ongoing mega event. He had clinched the bronze medal in the summit clash of the 50m rifle three positions and now the country's medal tally stands at three. It's the first time in Indian shooting history that the Indian shooters have clinched more than two Olympic medals and besides Swapnil, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh also made the country proud by winning bronze medals at the mega event.

But at the same time, Kusale's journey has been quite inspiring. After qualifying for the summit clash, he revealed that he got inspired by MS Dhoni as just like the ex-Indian skipper, he too was a railway ticket collector in his initial career.

Just like Dhoni, Kushale finishes off in style

A shooter is usually required to stay calm and patient and these two characteristics also define Dhoni's personality. And this is why Kusale relates to Dhoni's career. He has watched Dhoni's biopic several times and wants to match up with him.

Also Read: Swapnil Kusale bags another bronze medal in shooting

Dhoni used to start his innings slowly and then used to bounce back and help his team win matches. And like the former Indian cricketer, Kusale too bounced back brilliantly as he was lying at the sixth position at the end of the first kneeling round. But at the same time, he proved that slow and steady wins the race as he finished in the third position with 451.4 points.

Swapnil Kusale's MS Dhoni connection

"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 was quoted as saying to PTI after he lied at the seventh position in the must-win qualification round.

He has been working for the Central Railways since 2015. Hailing from Kambalbadi village in Kolhapur in Maharashtra, he has been participating in internationbal tournaments since 2012 but waited for 12 years to make his Olympic debut.

Born in 1995, Swapnil Kusale comes from a family of farmers. In 2009, he joined the Maharashtra government's primary program Sports, prida Prabhodini. He was involved in intense physical training for one year and picked up the sport of shooting. Lakshya Sports sponsored him in 2013.