‘I Will Work on My Fitness’: Swapnil Kusale

Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale has opened up about his performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, expressing both pride and determination for the future. The 29-year-old shooter made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event, securing a bronze with an impressive aggregate score of 451.4 in the final.

Despite his remarkable achievement, Kusale candidly acknowledged that he fell short of the gold due to a lack of physical fitness. “When I was in sixth position, I wasn’t looking at any other targets on the screen. I was solely focused on hitting my own target,” Kusale shared in an interview with ANI. He added, “I lacked physical fitness, and that is one of the reasons I missed out on the gold medal. I will work on this and aim to win it next time around.”

Kusale also spoke about the unwavering support he has received throughout his journey, particularly from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). “SAI and TOPS have supported me financially throughout my journey, especially since the equipment in my sport is very expensive,” he said.

Reflecting on his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kusale expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “PM Modi congratulated me and applauded my performance in the medal match. He said it was a proud moment for the country,” the shooter noted.

In the qualification round, Kusale had finished seventh, securing his spot in the final of the men’s 50m 3 Positions at the Paris Olympics. Looking ahead, Kusale is determined to improve his physical fitness and aims to bring home gold in future competitions.