Who is Swapnil Kusale? - India's third Bronze medalist at Paris Olympics 2024 and former ticket collector like MS Dhoni

Swapnil Kusale not only became the first Indian shooter to qualify for the final of the Paris Olympics 2024 in the Men's 50m Air Rifle 3 Position event but also won the Bronze medal in it. In the process, the talented shooter has scripted history and became the first Indian to win a medal in the event at the Olympics. He is now the third Indian to win a medal in the ongoing Olympics.

After Manu Bhaker won two Bronze medals and Sarbjot Singh, who helped her in the mixed team event, Swapnil helped India claim its third medal in Shooting. He has come from a humble background. Kusale was born in a village named Kambalwadi near Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. Since 2012, he has been competing at the international events.

Paris Olympics 2024 happened to be his debut at the highest level. He has been working for the Central Railways since 2015. Kusale relates a lot to the career of MS Dhoni who also is a ticket collector in his younger days. In the qualification round, Swapnil managed to finish 7th and entered the final round.

Swapnil Kusale draws inspiration from his family and MS Dhoni

With not a lot expecting him to claim a medal, the 29-year-old performed well with less pressure. In all three positions, he shot well and came close to even claiming a silver medal. Apart from the former Indian captain, Swapnil considers his entire family an inspiration for him. The shooter's father and brother are both teachers in a district school.

Kusale's mother is a Sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. Swapnil felt happy for Manu who has won two medals so far. "It has been a great experience so far. I love shooting and I am glad that I have been able to do it for so long. Seeing Manu do well gives us a lot of confidence. If she can do it, we can do it too," said Swapnil after qualifying for the final.