The Indian shooting contingent is making a remarkable impact at the Paris Olympics 2024, with the Chateauroux shooting centre proving to be a fortuitous venue for the team. After a 12-year wait for an Olympic medal, India’s shooters have now achieved their best-ever performance in a single edition of the Games.
On July 30, Swapnil Kusale won bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, marking a historic achievement as he became the first Indian to qualify for the final of this event. Kusale’s performance was impressive as he maintained his composure throughout the competition. The gold medal was claimed by Liu Yukun of China, the world record holder in the event. The 28-year-old Kusale, who previously worked as a ticket collector, expressed his joy by embracing the Indian coaching staff at the Chateauroux shooting centre.
The success for India began with Manu Bhaker’s bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol final, breaking a 12-year drought in Olympic shooting. Bhaker continued her stellar performance by securing another bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh in the mixed 10m air pistol event. With this achievement, Manu Bhaker has become the first athlete from Independent India to win more than one medal in a single Olympic Games.
India had a strong showing in shooting events between 2004 and 2012, but the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics saw a dip in performance with only one shooter reaching the final in Tokyo. The current success at Paris 2024 marks a significant resurgence. Alongside Kusale and Bhaker’s medals, Sarabjot Singh’s bronze in the mixed team event adds to India’s shooting achievements.
Several Indian shooters have made it to the finals, unlike in Tokyo. Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the men’s 10m air rifle event, narrowly missing out on a medal. Looking ahead, India will continue to challenge for medals with athletes like Manu Bhaker competing in the 25m pistol and Sift Kaur Samra, who is a strong contender in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event. The ongoing events are expected to further bolster India’s shooting medal tally.
Indian Shooting Medalists at the Olympics:
- Swapnil Kusale – Bronze, Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Paris 2024
- Manu Bhaker – Bronze, Women’s 10m Air Pistol, Paris 2024
- Manu Bhaker/Sarabjot Singh – Bronze, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, Paris 2024
- Vijay Kumar – Silver, Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, London 2012
- Gagan Narang – Bronze, Men’s 10m Air Rifle, London 2012
- Abhinav Bindra – Gold, Men’s 10m Air Rifle, Beijing 2008
- Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Silver, Men’s Double Trap, Athens 2004