Olympic Hero Swapnil Kusale Celebrates Historic Win in Pune

Olympic bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale celebrated his achievement in Pune after becoming the first Indian shooter to win a medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P event. Kusale expressed pride in representing Chhatrapati Shivaji's Maharashtra and hopes for more success in the Paris Olympics.

Olympic bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale arrived in Pune on Thursday, expressing pride in his roots linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji's Maharashtra and joy in winning a medal for India in the Paris Olympics. Kusale made history as the first Indian athlete to secure a medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P event at the Olympics.

'I feel great. I feel proud to have been born in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maharashtra. After several years, I received the opportunity to win a medal for my country at such a large competition...' Kusale told ANI. Earlier, a jubilant Swapnil held a roadshow in Pune to mark his Olympic medal triumph in Paris.

Kusale earned the bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men's Final with a total score of 451.4, marking India's third shooting medal at the current Olympics. Shooter Bhaker opened the nation's tally with a bronze in the women's individual 10m Air Pistol event, setting a milestone as the first Indian female shooter to medal at the Olympics. Subsequently, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker clinched bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, India's first-ever shooting team medal.

Bhaker, eyeing a hat-trick, narrowly missed out on her third medal, finishing fourth in the women's 25m pistol shooting event. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)