iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The 22-year-old had already won 100m gold -- upgraded from silver after the Turkish winner was disqualified
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Paris Olympics: India's Kusale reveals how he overcame a slow start to win bronze medal
In the final, Kusale was languishing in the sixth spot for a long time
India's Swapnil Kusale poses on the podium. — AFP
Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale delivered a classic come-from-behind performance to clinch a bronze medal in the men's 50m 3P event at the Paris Olympics on Thursday.
In the final, Kusale was languishing in the sixth spot for a long time. But he began to shoot 10s consistently and gradually made his way up to a medal spot.
The 28-year-old later revealed how he overcame a slow start to earn a podium finish.
"I didn't look at the scoreboard. I just focused on my procedure and follow through," he said.
"I focused on my breathing. I wanted to keep myself calm. That's what brought me to this level."
Emotions were visible on Kusale's face after he overcame the odds and made history.
"Obviously, I feel proud. We compete in a different country, and when our national anthem is played, whatever the rank is, but when the flag goes up, there is a strange feeling inside, as if we have raised the name of India," he said.
The Asian Games gold medallist then dedicated the bronze medal to his countrymen.
"I want to dedicate this win to India, my family and my support staff, everyone. Winning the Olympic medal is the dream of every athlete," he said.
"I have worked hard for so many years and achieved a level here. Even after this, I will work hard, and I will make the country proud in the next Olympics."
Earlier, shooter Manu Bhaker opened India's account with a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event.
Bhaker then became independent India's first athlete to win two medals at the same Olympics when she clinched the bronze with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
After Bhaker and Singh, Kuslae delivered the third medal for India, the best tally for the country in Olympic shooting.
India will have an opportunity to extend their medals tally to four when Bhaker competes in the 25m pistol event on Friday.
ALSO READ:
More news from Sports
Cheptegei suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body and had been fighting for her life at a Kenyan hospital
Storey has now won 29 Paralympics medals of all colours since she made her debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games
Since its debut in 2022, LIV Golf has staged 34 tournaments in nine different countries across four continents
The UAE take on Qatar in their first match on Thursday
The Palestinian baseball team features mostly US-based players with the deadly Israel war making it impossible for athletes to even go out for training sessions in the West Asian country
Ryder Cup points are up for grabs with all the Europeans hoping for a fast start on this race
Three coveted sports in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am are up for grabs in November