Latest news with #SwapnilKusale
News18
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Indian Shooters Celebrate Olympic Day; Aim For More Glory After Historic Run
Last Updated: The Indian shooting team celebrated Olympic Day with confidence. Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale made history at the Paris Games and aim for more medals at the 2028 LA Olympics. The Indian shooting team celebrated Olympic Day on Monday with a sense of confidence about their continued success in upcoming Olympic events. At the Paris Games last year, India sent a 21-member team to compete in all 15 shooting events. Manu Bhaker made history by winning two medals in the women's 10m air pistol event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. She became the only Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition. Swapnil Kusale also made history by securing India's only Olympic medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions. With three out of six medals at the 2024 Olympics being won by shooters, the sport gained immense popularity in India, and the athletes received global recognition. Following their success at the recently concluded ISSF World Cup 2025 in Munich, where Indian shooters clinched four medals—two gold and two bronze—they expressed hopes of maintaining their winning streak in the future. They aim for greater success at the next Olympic edition in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. Speaking on the significance of Olympic Day, Paris Games bronze medallist Sarabjot stated, 'This day is an important one for all of us and it reminds us of the efforts we all put in to earn the opportunity to compete in the biggest sporting event. For an athlete, a chance to represent the nation on the Olympic stage is the highest achievement. For me, to win a medal and stand on the podium is a memory that I will cherish forever." He further added, 'Our success at the Paris Olympics and the recent shooting events this year has truly sparked a fire within all the athletes to do our best. We are confident that the Indian shooters will win even more medals in LA and continue to make the nation proud." Paris Olympics medal-winning shooter Kusale echoed Sarabjot's sentiments, stating, 'Because of our success last year at the Games, all of us feel excited to celebrate the Olympic Day this year. We feel the eyes of the nation are upon us now and the entire country is praying and wishing for our success in each and every competition." 'While it is an additional responsibility to repay their faith, it also motivates us to continue to do better and make the nation proud. I am confident that India's Olympic success story in shooting will see a new chapter at the LA Games in 2028," he concluded. (With IANS Inputs). First Published: June 23, 2025, 13:37 IST
News18
08-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Swapnil Kusale Leads Indian Challenege At ISSF World Cup In Munich
Last Updated: Swapnil Kusale will lead the Indian squad at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. Elavenil Valarivan and Palak return, while Ananya Naidu, Aditya Malra, and Nishant Rawat debut. Paris Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale will lead the Indian squad at the season's third ISSF World Cup, starting Tuesday in Munich. He is joined by returning shooter Elavenil Valarivan and a host of international stars. Kusale regained his place in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event following strong domestic performances. Two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan returns to international competition for the first time since Paris, having previously competed in Buenos Aires and Lima as an RPO (Ranking Points Only) shooter. Reigning Asian Games champion Palak also rejoins the team in the women's air pistol category. The World Cup will see several debuts, including newly-crowned women's air rifle national champion Ananya Naidu. In the men's air pistol, newcomers Aditya Malra and Nishant Rawat will represent India, demonstrating the nation's depth in the discipline ahead of future challenges. A total of 695 athletes from 78 countries, including Olympic and World champions, will participate. The season began with a double-header in South America, where Indian rifle and pistol shooters secured 15 medals, including six golds, resulting in second and third-place finishes overall. However, the Munich leg presents a sterner test, with a greater concentration of elite shooters. Legendary Chinese marksman Li Yuehong, the reigning Olympic champion and three-time Olympic medallist in the 25m rapid-fire pistol (RFP), will compete alongside 20-year-old Sheng Lihao, the reigning Olympic, world, and Asian champion and world-record holder. China, victorious in the first two legs, sends a 22-member squad, including men's air pistol Olympic champion Xie Yu. Hosts Germany field a strong 27-member contingent led by pistol legend and former Olympic and world champion Christian Reitz. Anna Janssen, the women's air rifle qualification world record holder, will also compete. Another RFP legend, Jean Quiquampoix, part of a 16-member French squad, completes the trio of legends who have dominated the event for the past decade. The 19-member Korean team includes two of their three reigning women Olympic champions: Yang Jiin (25m pistol) and Oh Yejin (10m air pistol). Several Paris Olympic medallists, including the USA's Sagen Maddalena, Italy's Paolo Monna and Danilo Sollazzo, and Kazakhstan's Alexandra Le, are also set to compete. First Published:
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
ISSF World Cup: Swapnil Kusale, Elavenil return to lead India in Munich
Paris Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale will lead the Indian squad along with comeback shooter Elavenil Valarivan at the season's third ISSF World Cup, which will feature a galaxy of international stars, beginning in Munich from Tuesday. Kusale fought his way back to the men's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event on the back of a good show on the domestic circuit. Two-time Olympian Elavenil will be seen in international action for the first time since Paris, although she did make the trip to Buenos Aires and Lima as an RPO (Ranking Points Only) shooter. Reigning Asian Games champion Palak in the women's air pistol also makes it back to the team. There will be a few World Cup debuts like newly crowned women's air rifle national champion Ananya Naidu. There will be two new faces in the men's air pistol—Aditya Malra and Nishant Rawat—as India explores its depth in the two disciplines ahead of bigger challenges later in the year. A total of 695 athletes, including Olympic and World champions and legends of the sport from 78 countries, will participate in the World Cup. The season began with a double-header in South America where Indian rifle and pistol shooters picked up 15 medals including six gold, helping the team finish a creditable second and third, respectively, on the standings. The Munich leg will, however, present a much tougher challenge given the much wider presence of the world's best shooters. Legendary Chinese marksman Li Yuehong, the reigning Olympic champion and three-time Olympic medallist in the 25m rapid-fire pistol (RFP), and 20-year-old Sheng Lihao, the reigning Olympic, world and Asian champion and world-record holder, will compete in the tournament. China, winner of the first two legs, is bringing its men's air pistol Olympic champion Xie Yu, in what is a 22-member squad. Host Germany has fielded a strong 27-member contingent led by its pistol legend and former Olympic and world champion Christian Reitz. Anna Janssen, their women's air rifle qualification world record holder, would also be starting on home soil. Another RFP legend Jean Quiquampoix, part of a 16-member French squad, will help complete the troika of legends who have completely dominated the event over the last decade or so. The Koreans will also be there in full force with 19 shooters, including two of their three reigning women Olympic champions Yang Jiin (25m pistol) and Oh Yejin (10m air pistol). Several Paris Olympic medallists like the USA's Sagen Maddalena, Italy's Paolo Monna and Danilo Sollazzo and Alexandra Le of Kazakhstan are also set to start in Munich.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Munich World Cup: Paris medallist Swapnil Kusale adds 10m air rifle to his repertoire; says need to strengthen his standing position
**EDS, YEARENDERS 2024: PARIS OLYMPICS** Chateauroux: Bronze medallist India's Swapnil Kusale poses during the presentation ceremony of the men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions shooting event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Chateauroux, France. (PTI Photo) ( New Delhi: India's ace shooter Swapnil Kusale is set to return to competitive action for the first time since his historic bronze medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics. He will take part in the forthcoming ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in Munich, Germany, scheduled for the first week of June. Kusale did not participate in the Argentina and Peru legs of the World Cups due to not-so-impressive scores at the national selection trials. However, the 29-year-old's name has been included in India's 23-member contingent for the Munich WC, where the Kolhapur marksman will compete in his pet 50m rifle three positions event. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I am starting my international season with Munich. The preparations are good. I have worked on certain aspects of my technique, especially shooting during the standing position. I have also fixed some issues with my rifle and brought a new gear set. I didn't travel to the last two legs of the WCs because I wanted to shoot some really good scores before getting picked in the Indian team,' Kusale told TOI on Thursday. Kusale, who made history as the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P at the Paris Games, said he wants yo participate in the 10m air rifle category as well to enhance his future medal prospects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sudoku Kingdom - Free Sudoku Puzzles Online Undo He has commenced training under the guidance of coach Deepali Deshpande, a former shooter and Asian Games medallist. 'I used to compete in the 10m air rifle during my junior days. But then I stopped to focus on the 50m rifle 3P category. With an aim to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, which I eventually did, the effort was to train for only one event. But now I believe the time has come to start competing in both events (50m rifle 3P and 10m air rifle) simultaneously. My coach (Deepali) has already started imparting coaching to me. Competing in the 10m air rifle event will also help strengthen my standing position, which I have realised I need to work on. I am good at prone and kneeling. The air rifle will help me improve my standing aspect,' he said. The Arjuna awardee indicated his intention to professionally compete in the 10m air rifle at the forthcoming 'Shooting League of India' (SLI), scheduled from Nov 20-Dec 2 here. 'After returning from the Munich WC, I'll plan out my training schedule with the coach. The effort will be to start competing in both from the shooting league. It's a busy calendar year for us, leading up to the Asian Games in 2026. I want to win as many medals for India as possible… so adding the 10m air rifle to my repertoire seems a logical decision. It's very precise and the equation is totally different when compared to 50m rifle 3P,' said Kusale, who works as an OSD in the Maharashtra govt's sports department. Shooting league logo launched The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday officially launched the logo for the inaugural edition of the shooting league at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range here. The unveiling saw Paris Olympics medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, and a host of other Indian shooters, including Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, Sandeep Singh, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Ashi Chouksey, Chain Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema, Palak, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Akhil Sheoran and Rahi Sarnobat. All these shooters are part of the Indian contingent for the Munich WC.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Eyeing Top Podium Finish In 2028 Los Angeles Games: Swapnil Kusale
Emboldened by his landmark bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale is now working on his goal to strike gold in the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles. In Paris last summer, Kusale became the first shooter from the country to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. Kusale, who won gold medals at the 2021 and 2022 World Cups, is not content with the success so far and wants bigger medals. "The big target is next Olympics but in between whatever events comes is important. My focus and vision is on LA and working towards that," Kusale told PTI during an interaction on the sidelines of the logo launch of inaugural Shooting League of India (SLI) here on Thursday. "Obviously, need to think and dream big and like any other athlete I am also looking for the top spot. "My current focus is on World Cup, then will concentrate on Asian Games selection trials," added Kusale, who is part of the Indian contingent for the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich from June 8 to 16. "Next is Munich World Cup and we are leaving tonight, hope to give my best there." The bronze medal in Paris is yet to sink in for Kusale, but he has set his new goals and is working towards achieving them. "The journey since Paris was quite good. I am right now working on some things which I had missed or erred in Paris. Life now is little different from what it used to before Paris, but I am loving it, enjoying it," he said. "I have made some changes health wise, body, fitness and obviously in shooting." Talking about his journey post Paris Games, Kusale said: "After Olympics first event was National Championships and I won bronze medal there, after that was National Games where I again won bronze. After that it was all trials." "I didn't participate in last two World Cups because I needed some rest." Kusale said rifle shooting attracted him after he watched the sport at the 2008 Youth Commonwealth Games. "I started shooting in 2009, may be at the age of 14 or 15. It was Youth Commonwealth Games in 2008 and I watched that on TV, and online, and saw rifle shooting there and felt something is different from rest of disciplines, and I started liking that," he said. "I played so many games, I played volleyball for one and half years when I was in school. I also played a bit of hockey but professionally my interest was in shooting." The 29-year-old shooter from Maharashtra feels the upcoming SLI will be a game-changer for the sport in the country. "It is a big platform for Indian shooters. Those who will come from abroad will attract our budding shooters, our performance will also get better. We will get to learn a lot," Kusale said. "Youngsters will get to learn a lot from this league. They will get to know how a higher level athlete performs, how he prepares and handles situations." The inaugural SLI will be held from November 20 to December 2 between six to eight franchises, but the details are yet to be finalised.
