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Swapnil Kusale's journey to Olympic glory began in the humble village of Kambalwadi, Kolhapur. Inspired by Abhinav Bindra's Olympic triumph, he enrolled in the Krida Prabodhini sports program, where he honed his shooting skills.His friendship with Akshay Ashtraputre, a fellow shooter, provided unwavering support. Together, they shared the Olympic dream, symbolized by the golden rings they wore during selection trials.Kusale's talent was evident from an early age. He excelled in the 50m three positions event, requiring precision shooting from kneeling, prone, and standing positions. His coach, Deepali Deshpande, recalls his dedication and love for the sport.In 2014, Kusale became Asian junior champion, marking his arrival on the international stage. He competed against seasoned shooters like Gagan Narang and Chain Singh at the Senior National Championships in 2015.Despite missing out on a berth at the Tokyo Olympics, Kusale remained determined. He joined the Railways and continued his rigorous training regimen. His focus on the standing position, where he had faced setbacks in previous competitions, paid off.With the support of sports psychologist Vaibhav Agashe, Kusale strengthened his mental conditioning. He overcame the tense moments in the final, securing a bronze medal with a crucial 10.5 in his 41st shot.Kambalwadi erupted in celebration as Kusale's triumph brought pride to his village. His mother, Anita Kusale, attributed his success to his unwavering determination and years of hard work.

Swapnil Kusale's parents expressed their unwavering belief in their son's ability to secure a medal for India at the Paris Games. Suresh Kusale, Swapnil's father, stated that they had refrained from contacting him the day before the event to avoid any distractions. He emphasized Swapnil's dedication and focus over the past decade, expressing confidence that he would not disappoint the nation.As Swapnil clinched the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, his family and friends erupted in jubilation at their home in Kolhapur. His mother, Anita, who had been praying moments before, was overcome with emotion. The atmosphere was filled with chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" as they celebrated Swapnil's triumph.Suresh Kusale acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts made by the family over the years, but attributed Swapnil's success to his hard work and determination. He also expressed gratitude to Swapnil's coach, Dipali Deshpande, for her guidance and support.Anita Kusale shared that Swapnil hails from Kambalwadi village in Kolhapur district and developed a passion for shooting while in Sangli. He later pursued further training in Nashik. Swapnil's brother expressed his appreciation for the support and belief shown by the nation in the 28-year-old shooter.Swapnil's medal adds to India's tally of three at the Paris Games, following Manu Bhaker's bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol alongside Sarabjot Singh. Despite finishing seventh in the qualification round, Swapnil's calm and patient approach, inspired by cricket icon MS Dhoni, helped him secure a podium finish.

Swapnil Kusale's historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics has ignited a wave of joy and pride across India. The shooter's triumph marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting, as he became the first Indian to secure a medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P event.Kusale's journey to the podium was a testament to his unwavering determination and relentless hard work. His former coach, Vishwajeet Shinde, hailed his victory as a testament to his dedication and the culmination of years of effort.In the qualification round, Kusale displayed his exceptional skills, finishing seventh with a score of 590-38x. This impressive performance earned him a spot in the final, where he faced off against the world's best shooters.In the final, Kusale maintained his composure and executed his shots with precision. He finished in third place with an aggregate of 451.4, securing India's third overall medal in shooting at the Paris Olympics.Kusale's victory is not only a personal triumph but also a source of inspiration for aspiring shooters across the country. It demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief, anything is possible.The Paris Olympics has been a stage for redemption for Indian shooters. Manu Bhaker, who faced a heartbreaking malfunction in her pistol at the Tokyo Olympics, made history by becoming the first Indian woman in 20 years to reach a shooting final in an individual event.Bhaker's bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event opened India's account at the Paris Olympics. She and Sarabjot Singh went on to secure another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.These achievements underscore the growing strength and depth of Indian shooting. With talented shooters like Kusale and Bhaker leading the way, India can look forward to continued success on the international stage.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, has etched her name in history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics. At just 22 years old, she has already achieved remarkable success, but remains humble and determined as she prepares for her final event at the Games.Bhaker's journey to Olympic glory began with a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. She then teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to secure another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event. These medals are a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering focus.Despite her historic achievements, Bhaker remains grounded and understands the pressure that comes with being an elite athlete. She expressed her gratitude for the support she has received but also acknowledged the fear of disappointing her fans. "I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed. Please don't be angry if I don't win another medal," she said.Bhaker's success is particularly poignant given her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where a pistol malfunction prevented her from achieving her Olympic dream. The heartbreak she experienced has made her appreciate her medals even more. "After the experience in Tokyo, I realize how special winning this (medal) is," she said.Bhaker's performance has drawn comparisons to former 10m air rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who became a household name after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, Bhaker remains focused on her own journey and is determined to continue working hard for more glory. "I can't say that about myself (becoming a female sporting icon); if people call me that then I am grateful. But my journey will continue and there's no stopping for me, I will keep working hard even if I win or lose," she said.Bhaker looks up to ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shuttler PV Sindhu as role models. "I've always looked up to athletes like Neeraj (Chopra) (PV) Sindhu, who have always been able to prove themselves at certain levels," she said.As Bhaker prepares for her final event in the 25m sports pistol, she remains confident and determined. Her journey is an inspiration to young athletes across India, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, both 22-year-old Indian shooters, have etched their names in history by winning the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed event at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Chateauroux, France.Bhaker, a seasoned Olympian, displayed her experience and composure throughout the competition. She guided her younger teammate, Sarabjot, who was making his Olympic debut, through the intricacies of the event.The Indian duo faced a tough challenge in the bronze medal match against Korea's Lee Won-ho and Oh Ye-jin. However, they remained unfazed and dominated the match with a score of 16-10.Bhaker's steady shooting and Sarabjot's quick recovery from an initial setback proved crucial for their victory. Bhaker's ability to maintain her focus and execute precise shots under pressure was evident throughout the match.Sarabjot, despite being a first-time Olympian, showed remarkable resilience and composure. He quickly regained his composure after a shaky start and contributed significantly to the team's success.The bronze medal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both Bhaker and Sarabjot. It is also a significant achievement for India, as it marks the country's first medal in the mixed event at the ISSF World Cup.The victory has not only boosted the confidence of the Indian shooters but has also inspired other athletes at the Games. Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed his admiration for Bhaker's performance, saying, "To win two medals, not only one, is not easy."Bhaker and Sarabjot's success is a reminder of the potential of Indian shooters and the bright future that lies ahead for the sport in the country.

After a 16-year drought, the U.S. men's gymnastics team has finally ascended to the Olympic podium, capturing a bronze medal in the team event at the Tokyo Games. The triumph marks a significant milestone for the team, which has endured years of setbacks and disappointments.The bronze medalists, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Fred Richard, displayed unwavering determination and resilience throughout the competition. Coach Sam Mikulak praised their flawless execution, highlighting their ability to avoid any falls and showcase their unwavering spirit.Nedoroscik, a pommel horse specialist, delivered a flawless performance under immense pressure, securing the team's medal. Richard's exceptional high bar routine and the contributions of Juda and Hong on the vault also played a pivotal role in their success."Stephen was in the hardest seat of the entire competition," said Brett McClure, the team's high-performance director. "He knew that if he hit his routine, we would likely medal. And he did it."Malone, who had a shaky start during the qualifying rounds, redeemed himself in the finals, putting aside his mistakes and focusing on delivering for his team. "The first night was a fluke for Brody," said McClure. "He turned it around like he always does."The U.S. men's gymnastics team's bronze medal is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in themselves. Their triumph serves as an inspiration to aspiring gymnasts and a reminder that even after years of adversity, success can be achieved through perseverance and teamwork.

Sarabjot Singh's remarkable journey culminated in a historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, alongside Manu Bhaker in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This triumph marked a significant milestone for India, as Manu became the first athlete to win multiple medals at a single Olympics since independence, while Sarabjot became the first Indian shooter to secure a medal since 2012.Hailing from a humble background in Ambala, Sarabjot's passion for shooting ignited during a summer camp. Despite his father's initial hesitation, Sarabjot's determination and talent led him to pursue the sport under the guidance of coach Abhishek Rana.In 2019, Sarabjot emerged as a rising star, winning gold at the Junior World Championship. His success continued with team gold and mixed team silver at the 2023 Asian Games, and individual bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships, securing his Olympic quota.At the Paris Olympics, Sarabjot's redemption story unfolded. After narrowly missing out on the final in the individual event, he teamed up with Manu Bhaker to dominate the mixed team competition. Their combined score of 261.3, with Sarabjot contributing 110.2, proved too strong for South Korea.Sarabjot's journey to the top is a testament to his unwavering determination and the support of his family and coach. His success not only brings glory to India but also inspires aspiring shooters across the country.

Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, a fencing legend, has dedicated her bronze medal in the women's sabre event at the Paris Olympics to her war-torn country. Despite missing out on the individual gold she had set her sights on, Kharlan's bronze was a testament to her resilience and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people.Kharlan, 33, staged a remarkable comeback from an 11-5 deficit to defeat South Korea's Choi Se-bin in front of a crowd that included her mother, sister, and nephew. Her father, however, was unable to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.The bronze medal marked Ukraine's first at the Paris Olympics and was a poignant moment for Kharlan, who has been an outspoken critic of Russia's invasion of her country. She has repeatedly used her platform to condemn the war and call for peace."It's really special," said a beaming Kharlan after her victory. "It's like infinity. It's special for my country. It's for the people of Ukraine, for defenders (soldiers), for athletes who couldn't come here because they were killed by Russia."Kharlan's bronze medal was a culmination of her unwavering determination and the sacrifices she has made since the war began. She has rarely been home, and when she did return, she had to seek shelter from Russian airstrikes."I've been at home five times probably for one week," said Kharlan. "It's all the sacrifices. And all the news, all the tragic moments that we had when Russia bombed and killed people. We all take it. So that's why it's tough."Despite the challenges, Kharlan has remained focused on her sport and used it as a platform to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine. Her bronze medal is a symbol of hope and resilience, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail.

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has etched her name in history by becoming the first woman from the country to win an Olympic medal in shooting. At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Bhaker secured a bronze medal in the 10m Women's Individual Air Pistol event, marking a significant milestone for Indian sports.Bhaker's triumph is a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. After experiencing a disappointing malfunction in her pistol at the Tokyo Olympics, she returned to the world stage with renewed focus and determination. Her performance in Paris not only brought glory to India but also inspired countless aspiring shooters across the nation.In the qualification round, Bhaker displayed her exceptional skills, finishing third to secure a place in the final. The final was a nail-biting affair, with Bhaker facing stiff competition from top shooters worldwide. However, she remained composed and focused, delivering a series of precise shots that ultimately earned her the bronze medal.Bhaker's victory has been met with widespread praise and recognition. In addition to the Eiffel Tower badge awarded to all medalists at the Paris Games, she has received accolades from the Indian government and sports authorities. Her achievement has also sparked a renewed interest in shooting among young Indians, who now see her as a role model and inspiration.Bhaker's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing strength of Indian shooting. The country has produced several world-class shooters in recent years, and Bhaker's medal is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of these athletes and their coaches.As the Paris Olympics continue, Bhaker has the opportunity to add to her medal tally. She is scheduled to compete in the mixed team 10m Air Pistol event alongside her partner Sarabjot Singh. If they manage to secure a medal in this event, Bhaker will further cement her status as one of India's greatest shooters.