“We didn't even call him yesterday so that he should not get distracted” - Swapnil Kusale’s parents on winning ‘dream’ medal at Paris Olympics 2024

After Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won a bronze medal in the men's 50-metre rifle 3 positions event at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, his parents were extremely happy that their son brought Olympic glory to the nation.

Speaking to reporters from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, Swapnil Kusale’s father, Suresh Kusale, detailed how his son had to spend most of his time away from home, training for the ultimate prize at the Olympic Games.

“For the last 10 to 12 years, he was mostly away from home, focusing on his marksmanship,” Suresh Kusale told reporters (via PTI).

“We let him focus on his work and didn't even call him yesterday so that he should not get distracted,” he added.

Suresh Kusale further said that the bronze won by Swapnil, India’s third medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was dedicated to the entire nation.

“The medal that Swapnil won today, he dedicated it to the entire country. Today, we are proud that he has fulfilled his dream of winning an Olympic medal for his family, his village, and his country,” Suresh Kusale said in an interaction with the media (via JioCinema).

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“He has never shown any laziness” - Swapnil Kusale’s parents on how rifleman trained for historic bronze medal win

Swapnil Kusale, who was an unfancied choice after finishing seventh in the qualifying round of his debut Olympic Games, clinched India’s third bronze medal on Thursday.

Swapnil’s bronze was historic in more than one aspect. It was the first Olympic medal won by an Indian shooter in the 50m rifle 3p event. It also marked the first time the Indian shooting contingent won three medals in a single Olympic Games edition.

Swapnil Kusale’s parents detailed how the 28-year-old rifle ace trained since he was in eighth standard to achieve this historic feat.

“He studied in a public school and developed a liking for shooting while at Sangli. He later went to Nashik for further training in the sport,” Swapnil’s mother Anita Kusale told the media, as per PTI.

“From the time Swapnil passed the eighth standard, he has been refining his skills. To date, he has never shown any laziness towards his sports,” Swapnil’s father told the media (from JioCinema).

“I am proud that, whenever we used to call, he used to be in his practice. We could even hear the sounds of [guns] firing,” he added.