From collecting tickets to winning medals; Swapnil Kusale's remarkable story following in Dhoni's footsteps

Swapnil Kusale made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by becoming the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle three positions. His remarkable achievement brought India's medal tally to three, marking a milestone in Indian shooting history as the team secured more than two medals at the Olympics for the first time. Kusale, along with fellow shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarbjot Singh, brought glory to India with his bronze medal win.

Inspired by Dhoni: A journey from ticket collector to Olympic medalist

Kusale's journey to Olympic success is a tale of inspiration and determination. The 28-year-old drew inspiration from former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, sharing a similar background as a railway ticket collector. Kusale revealed that he admires Dhoni for his calmness and patience, qualities essential for success in both cricket and shooting. "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," Kusale shared after his qualifying round. Kusale's path to the Olympics echoes Dhoni's journey, marked by perseverance and dedication.

From humble beginnings to Olympic glory

Born in 1995 in Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Kusale came from an agricultural background. His father enrolled him in the Maharashtra government's Krida Prabhodini sports program in 2009, where he chose shooting after a year of rigorous training. Kusale has been competing internationally since 2012 and joined Central Railways in 2015. Despite his early promise, it took him 12 years to make his Olympics debut, culminating in his historic bronze medal win.

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Kusale's journey reflects the essence of determination, much like Dhoni's legendary cricket career. Despite starting the competition in the sixth position after the first kneeling round, Kusale's resilience saw him rise to third place with a score of 451.4 points. His success story not only adds to India's Olympic achievements but also inspires future generations of athletes.