Swapnil Kusale's Inspiring Journey to Olympic Bronze

Swapnil Kusale's Inspiring Journey: Swapnil Kusale, who recently captured the Bronze medal in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions at the Olympics, has a story that resonates with perseverance and dedication. Originating from Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Kusale’s path to success was marked by challenges and unwavering support from his family. His father and brother are educators, while his mother serves as the village sarpanch. Despite their modest means, the Kusale family was resolute in supporting Swapnil’s ambitions.

Early Passion and Financial Struggles

Kusale’s fascination with shooting began at 14 when he joined a residential school through a Maharashtra government initiative. His commitment to the sport was evident early on. In 2015, while working as a ticket collector for the Indian Railways, Kusale invested his first six months’ salary into purchasing his initial rifle, costing over Rs.3 lakhs. His dedication bore fruit when he won a bronze medal at the 2017 Commonwealth Games, which led his father to buy him a more advanced rifle for Rs. 8 lakhs. The journey was not without its hurdles. Kusale faced financial difficulties, including the high cost of ammunition, which was about Rs.120 per bullet. To support his training, his father took out a bank loan. Kusale recalled that he had to be very careful while shooting due to the limited number of bullets they could afford. He mentioned that he didn't have much equipment and described his setup as somewhat restrictive.

A World Record and Olympic Debut

Swapnil’s perseverance was rewarded at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he, alongside Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Akhil Sheoran, won gold in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event, setting a world record with 1769 points. This remarkable achievement highlighted his skill and resilience. After competing internationally since 2012, Kusale made his Olympic debut at the Paris Games in 2024. He earned a quota place for the Paris Olympics by finishing fourth in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2022 World Championship in Cairo. His impressive track record also includes three medals at the 2022 World Cup in Baku: one gold and two silvers.

Personal Touches and Inspirations

A devoted admirer of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kusale has watched Dhoni’s biopic multiple times. In a charming parallel, Kusale, like Dhoni, works as a ticket collector for the Indian Railways. Despite being lactose intolerant, Swapnil's mother, Anita, makes sure he enjoys his favorite meal, bhakri and methi sabzi, whenever he comes home. She shared that he could have it three times a day and often requests it upon his return to celebrate his achievements.

Also read: Swapnil Kusale Shines with Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions at Paris Olympics Swapnil Kusale’s journey from a small village to the Olympic stage is a testament to his determination and the unwavering support of his family.