Kusale wins India's first 50m rifle 3P Olympic bronze

Swapnil Kusale absorbed the big-stage pressure like a sponge and came out shining in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 positions event to win a historic bronze medal for India at the Paris Olympics on Thursday.

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For the second day in a row, the young man from Pune ensured his breathing pattern was in control and in the normal range as he entered the final hall with confident steps. He was wearing the heavy shooting jacket, but his face had a calm demeanor, something which comes from hours of practice.

“I felt a lot of pressure but am glad to win a medal for my country,” said Swapnil, his words as measured as his shooting. There were three stages in the final – kneeling, prone, and standing. Indeed, the last phase, where he stood and shot at the target, was a delight to watch.