Historic Win for India in Men’s 50m Rifle 3P
Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale made history by winning the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Kusale’s remarkable performance not only secured the bronze medal but also marked him as the first Indian shooter to ever win a medal in this category.
Kusale’s Journey to the Podium
Kusale clinched the bronze medal with an impressive aggregate score of 451.4, contributing to India’s overall tally in shooting at the Paris Olympics. His achievement came after a strong showing in the qualification round, where he finished seventh with a score of 590-38x, ensuring his place in the final.
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar’s Performance
Alongside Kusale, Indian shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar also competed in the men’s 50m 3P qualification round. Tomar finished 11th with a score of 589-33x, narrowly missing the cut for the final round, which only accepted the top eight shooters.
Record-Breaking Qualification Round
The qualification round saw a new Olympic record set by Liu Yukun of the People’s Republic of China, who scored a total of 594-38x. Kusale’s entry into the final and subsequent medal win highlights his exceptional skill and determination.
India’s Growing Success in Shooting
Kusale’s bronze is India’s third medal in shooting at the Paris Olympics, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in the sport. Earlier, Manu Bhaker opened India’s medal tally with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker, whose pistol malfunctioned at the Tokyo Olympics, made a strong comeback and became the first Indian woman in 20 years to reach a shooting final in an individual event since Suma Shirur in 2004.
Mixed Team Event Success
In addition to individual events, the Indian shooting team also excelled in the mixed team event. The duo of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh defeated South Korea’s Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal play-off match, further contributing to India’s success in shooting at the Paris Olympics.
Swapnil Kusale’s historic win in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting sports, inspiring future generations of athletes to achieve excellence on the global stage.
