Paris: In a thrilling display of skill and precision, Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics yesterday clinching the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final, becoming the third Indian shooter to reach the podium in the ongoing event.

This remarkable achievement follows the success of Manu Bhaker in the women’s 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team and Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team events. All three medals have been bronze, marking India’s best-ever performance in Olympic shooting.

Kusale’s bronze is particularly notable as it makes him the first Indian shooter to win a medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Olympics.

The 28-year-old, who will turn 29 on Aug. 6, celebrated his upcoming birthday with this incredible achievement. In the final, Kusale posted scores of 153.3 in the kneeling round and 156.8 in the prone round. In the tense standing position elimination stage, he held off strong competition from Czech Republic’s shooter to secure his place.

The gold medal was claimed by Liu Yukun of China, who is also the current world record holder with a score of 468.9. Liu won with a total of 463.6, while Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish took silver with 461.3.