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Swapnil Kusale, a 28-year-old Indian shooter, has qualified for the final of the 50m rifle three positions event at the Paris Olympics. This is his second major final after the 2022 World Championships, where he finished fourth.Kusale's qualification score of 590 included 38 hits to the inner ring, demonstrating his accuracy and consistency. He will be hoping to break the jinx of finishing fourth in major competitions and secure a medal for India.The rifle three positions event tests the endurance and technique of shooters, requiring them to shoot from kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Kusale has worked on his game since his disappointing performance at the World Championships and Asian Games, focusing on developing a strong mind and maintaining confidence.His coach, Deepali Deshpande, praised Kusale's accuracy and patience during the qualification round. She believes that his maturity and ability to handle pressure will serve him well in the final.Kusale's qualification for the final is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has come a long way since winning his first senior national title in 2015 and has consistently performed at the international level.

The 2024 Summer Paris Olympic Games have already witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances, showcasing the extraordinary talent and athleticism of the world's finest athletes. With just a few weeks remaining, the anticipation for more breathtaking feats is palpable.In the pool, Australia's Kaylee McKeown shattered her own Olympic record in the women's 100m backstroke, clocking in at 57.33 seconds. Ireland's Daniel Wiffen also made history, breaking the Olympic record in the men's 800m freestyle with a time of 7:38.19.Mollie O'Callaghan of Australia continued her impressive run, setting a new Olympic record in the women's 200m freestyle with a time of 1:53.27. France's Léon Marchand etched his name in the record books by breaking the Olympic record in the men's 400m individual medley, finishing in 4:02.95.Gretchen Walsh from the United States made waves in the women's 100m butterfly, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 55.37 seconds. China's Pan Zhanle also set a new Olympic record in the men's 100m freestyle, clocking in at 46.92 seconds.The Australian women's 4x100 freestyle relay team broke their own Olympic record, finishing in 3:28.92. In surfing, Brazil's Gabriel Medina earned the highest-ever single wave score in Olympic history, scoring 9.90 in the fifth heat of the men's surfing event.Shooting also saw its share of record-breaking performances. Britain's Nathan Hales set a new Olympic record in the men's trap with a score of 48. China's Sheng Lihao broke the Olympic record in the men's 10-meter air rifle with a score of 252.In archery, South Korea's Lim Si-hyeon broke the world record in the women's 72 arrows, 70-meter round with a score of 694. Her team also broke the Olympic record in the women's 216 arrows, 70-meter round with a score of 2,046.Rugby sevens witnessed some remarkable achievements as well. Maddison Levi of Australia broke the Olympic record for the number of tries at a single Olympic Game, scoring 11. The New Zealand rugby team also set a new Olympic record, scoring 55-5 against China.As the 2024 Summer Paris Olympic Games draw to a close, the world eagerly awaits more thrilling performances and the possibility of even more records being shattered.

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.

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's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. In Tokyo 2020, a technical glitch with her pistol shattered her dreams of reaching the final. Three years later, Bhaker has not only redeemed herself but has also become the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics since the nation's independence.In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Bhaker reflected on her remarkable achievement. "Victory cannot teach you what defeat teaches you," she said. "From Tokyo, the journey has been full of ups and downs. I've tried my best in performing in all the competitions, but sometimes you just can't keep up."Bhaker's success is a testament to her unwavering determination and the guidance of her coach, Jaspal Rana. "The planning part was definitely entirely Jaspal sir's programme," she said. "He planned it according to if my shoulder is in good shape. I always look at him whenever I lack courage or I want to feel more confident."Confidence is crucial in major competitions, and Bhaker credits her family, friends, and training environment for instilling it in her. "When you come to a major Games, confidence plays a huge part," she said. "It comes from the roots, from my family, from my friends, from the atmosphere I trained in the last two-three years, and from my coach."Bhaker's journey at Paris 2024 may not be over yet. She is set to participate in the 25m air pistol events, where she will aim to add to her medal tally. Her achievements have already made her a role model for aspiring shooters and a source of pride for India.

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.

India's Olympic shooting woes continued on Tuesday as trap shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman failed to qualify for the final round, finishing 21st among 30 marksmen. Despite shooting two perfect scores of 25 in the last two qualification rounds, Tondaiman's aggregate score of 118/125 fell short of the top-six shooters who shot 123 each.Tondaiman, 37, had a disappointing start to the qualification round on Monday, shooting 22, 25, and 21. However, he rebounded with two perfect-25s on Tuesday, but it was too little too late.In the women's trap event, Rajeshwari Kumari and Shreyasi Singh also struggled. Rajeshwari shot 68 out of 75 over three rounds of qualification on Day 1, while Shreyasi was further down at 22nd. The two will play two more rounds of qualification on Wednesday before the top-six finalists are decided.Meanwhile, pistol shooter Manu Bhaker added a second bronze to her kitty in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, partnering with Sarabjot Singh.

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.

Manu Bhaker's Olympic triumph has brought joy to India, but her coach, Jaspal Rana, faces a different reality. Despite his role in Manu's success, Rana has been struggling financially for the past three years, without a regular salary from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) or any other sporting body.Rana's plight stems from a fallout with Manu after her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where a pistol malfunction hindered her medal chances. However, the duo reconciled and worked together to achieve Manu's bronze medal in Paris.Rana's emotional outburst during an interview with RevSportz revealed the abuse he endured after Manu's Tokyo exit. He questioned the hypocrisy of those who now seek interviews with him after vilifying him.Despite his delight in Manu's Olympic success, Rana emphasized his financial struggles. He expressed his gratitude to PT Usha and Captain Ajay Narang for facilitating his accreditation for the Paris Games, but acknowledged the challenges he faced even with that.Rana's coaching approach with Manu involves subtle tweaks rather than imposing his views. He believes in empowering shooters with their own knowledge and skills.Rana's financial situation has taken a toll on him. He expressed his desire to find a job upon his return to India, highlighting the difficulties he has faced in the past three years.Rana's story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by coaches and support staff in the sporting world. While athletes receive the limelight, those who guide them often struggle to make ends meet.