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The Indian shooting contingent at the ongoing Paris Olympics has made history, surpassing expectations with an unprecedented three Bronze medals. This remarkable achievement marks the best-ever performance by Indian shooters at the Games.Manu Bhaker, the star of the contingent, secured a historic medal in the women's 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympics. She then teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to win another Bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed-team event, marking India's first-ever medal in team shooting.Swapnil Kusale's stunning bronze medal-winning performance in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event further added to India's medal tally. His victory was particularly emotional for former Indian shooter and Olympic medalist Gagan Narang, who recalled competing with Kusale in 2017."It is truly emotional to see him reaching this level and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India, and that too, on the same day when I had won mine in 2012 in London. It almost feels like destiny," said Narang.Arjun Babuta also narrowly missed out on a medal in the men's 10m air rifle event, finishing fourth. Narang expressed his pride in Babuta's performance, calling it "perhaps the greatest show by Indian shooters in the history of the Games."India's previous best performance in shooting came at the 2012 London Olympics, where Vijay Kumar won a silver in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event and Narang won a bronze in the men's 10m air rifle event.The contingent's success in Paris is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the shooters and their coaches. It is also a source of pride for India, showcasing the country's growing prowess in the sport.

Swapnil Kusale etched his name in Indian sporting history by securing a historic bronze medal in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite the pressure of the grand stage, Kusale displayed nerves of steel and staged a remarkable comeback to finish on the podium. His aggregate score of 451.4 in the eight-shooter final propelled India to 42nd place in the medal standings.India's medal hopes took a hit on Day 7 as badminton stars PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the competition. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, was defeated by China's He Bingjiao in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals. Satwik and Chirag's Olympic dream also ended in disappointment after a three-game loss in the men's doubles quarterfinals.However, India's medal tally could receive a boost on Friday as Manu Bhaker continues her impressive run in the women's 25m pistol qualification alongside Esha Singh. Bhaker, a two-time bronze medalist at the Paris Games, is aiming for a medal hat-trick.Lakshya Sen kept India's badminton hopes alive by advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating compatriot HS Prannoy in an all-Indian clash. Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, will face 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the next round.Other Indian athletes in action on Day 7 include Shubhankar Sharma and Ganganjeet Bhullar in golf, Anantjeet Singh Naruka in men's skeet qualification, and Ankita Dhyani, Parul Chaudhary, and Tajinderpal Singh Toor in athletics.India's men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, will face Australia in their final pool match after losing 1-2 to defending champions Belgium.

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.

Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, draws inspiration from M S Dhoni. Like Dhoni, Kusale is also a railway ticket collector. The 29-year-old from Maharashtra has been competing in international events since 2012 but had to wait 12 years to make his Olympics debut.Kusale relates to Dhoni's calm and patient demeanor, which are essential qualities for a shooter. He has watched Dhoni's biopic multiple times and hopes to emulate his achievements. A top-three finish in the 50m rifle three positions final would certainly elevate Kusale's status in Indian sport."I admire Dhoni for the person that he is," Kusale said. "My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was."Kusale has been working for Central Railways since 2015. He qualified for the final with a score of 590, the most inner 10s among the three shooters who shot the same score.Kusale's family has also been a source of inspiration. His father and brother are teachers, while his mother is the sarpanch of their village.Aishwary Pratap Tomar, another Indian shooter, finished 11th in the qualification round.National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan is optimistic about Kusale's chances in the final. "He is in a good frame of mind," Ohlyan said. "We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically."Kusale's journey to the Olympics has been a long one, but he is now on the cusp of making history. With his calm demeanor and unwavering determination, he has the potential to become one of India's most successful shooters.

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.

Indian rifle shooter Ramita Jindal narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, placing seventh in the final of the 10-meter air rifle women's competition. Despite the setback, Jindal expressed gratitude for the invaluable experience gained during her Olympic debut."The experience was truly exceptional," Jindal said. "I've learned so much here, and I'm taking these lessons with me. There's a lot to learn, and I'll use this experience to improve in the upcoming season."Jindal acknowledged the significant growth and skills acquired during her Olympic journey. She emphasized the importance of these takeaways, which she believes will contribute to her personal and professional development. She is determined to apply these insights to achieve success in the upcoming season.Jindal extended her admiration to Manu Bhaker, who won a bronze medal in the same event. She expressed that Bhaker's achievement has instilled hope and motivation within the team."After Manu's medal, we now have that hope because Manu and I have been competing for a long time," Jindal said. "It's motivating for us to know that if she can do it, we can too. The team is very confident now."Jindal praised Bhaker's hard work and dedication, believing that she is a deserving recipient of the medal. She expressed that Bhaker serves as an inspiration to the team, and her achievements will be a source of motivation for all."Bhaker is my inspiration," Jindal said. "When I started my career, she was already in Tokyo and in great form. I've been observing her for a long time. She's very hardworking, and she definitely deserves the medal. Everyone will look up to her and her dedication."Jindal emphasized the collective effort and competitive spirit within the shooting contingent. She expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well and potentially secure more medals."There can be more medals," Jindal said. "Everyone has worked really hard. We can bring more medals, and everyone is very competitive and in good form to perform well."

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, has made history by becoming the first Indian female shooter to reach the final of an individual shooting event at the Olympic Games. Three years after the heartbreak of Tokyo, Bhaker produced a supremely confident performance to qualify for the women's 10m air pistol final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.Bhaker's journey to the final was not without its challenges. In the qualifications, she faced stiff competition from Hungarian ace Veronika Major, who claimed the top spot with a score of 582. However, Bhaker remained composed and shot 580 to finish third, securing her place in the final.The 22-year-old from Jhajjar has been through a rollercoaster of emotions since her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. A pistol malfunction during the qualifications reduced her to tears, but she has shown remarkable resilience to bounce back from that setback.Bhaker's personal coach, Jaspal Rana, was overcome with emotion after witnessing her performance. "What happened today doesn't matter anymore. Tomorrow is when it counts. We start afresh," he said.Bhaker's success is a testament to her hard work and determination. She has won numerous medals on the international stage, including a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. If she takes the top podium spot in the final on Sunday, she will become the only Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the Olympics.India has not won an Olympic medal in shooting since 2012, and Bhaker is well-placed to end that lean run. Her performance in the qualifications has given her a strong foundation for the final, and she will be determined to make history for her country.

Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker has emerged as a beacon of hope for the nation at the ongoing Olympic Games, securing a spot in the 10m women's air pistol final. Her remarkable consistency and determination have been a much-needed positive amidst an otherwise underwhelming performance by her compatriots.Bhaker's journey to the final has been marked by resilience and unwavering focus. After a disappointing debut at the Tokyo Games three years ago, she has been determined to make amends and add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume. Her qualification score of 580, securing third place, is a testament to her hard work and dedication.In contrast, the men's 10m air pistol event proved to be a disappointment for Indian shooters. Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately failed to advance to the final. Singh finished ninth with a score of 577, while Cheema ended in 18th place with a score of 574.Bhaker's achievement is particularly significant as she becomes the first Indian female shooter to qualify for an individual Olympic final in the last 20 years. Suma Shirur was the last Indian shooter to reach this feat, when she qualified for the 10m Air Rifle final in Athens 2004.Bhaker's performance has been a welcome respite for Indian shooting, which has faced criticism for its underwhelming performance in recent years. Her determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to aspiring shooters and a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.