Swapnil Kusale is set to receive the Arjuna Award which will be given by the President of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu on January 17th, 2025.
A Bit More About The Arjuna Award
The Arjuna Award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is taken as an award for extraordinary performances by sportspersons in international events. Kusale is finally being awarded in the manner that all his struggle throughout his career will come to an end with this big performance at Paris Olympics 2024.
Swapnil Kusale Takes The Indian Flag High At Paris 2024
All of it would eventually lead to Swapnil Kusale leaving with the Bronze in the Men’s 50m 3-Position Shooting Event of the 2024 Paris Olympics. That would mean not only he would find his name etched in the pages of Olympic history but also, on that day, India would add its third medal of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The score in the final was 451.4. This surely speaks to Swapnil Kusale’s skills and composure in the heat of the moment, as he claimed his first-ever Olympic medal on debut.
He is as poised under extreme competition that had almost bettered the colour of his medal in an extremely competitive field. A pretty special win by Swapnil Kusale in Paris comes at the end of long years of toil and commitment which places him firmly in the rank of shooting stars of India.
Swapnil Kusale’s Rise To The Shooting Stardom
Swapnil Kusale’s sports career began at the age of 19 years. Kusale had enrolled in the Maharashtra-based sports development program Krida Prabhodini to begin training there way back in 2009. The following year Swapnil Kushale’s had made up his mind that he will focus on the shooting sport- and it is going to make his life while being one of the most promising shooters for India.
Swapnil Kusale Making A Mark
The milestones mark Swapnil Kusale’s ascendancy in the shooting world. In 2015, he bagged a gold medal in the junior category of the 50m rifle prone event during the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kuwait. He impressed at national events, winning gold at both the 59th and the 61st National Shooting Championships in the 50m rifle events.
In 2022, Swapnil Kusale had won himself an Olympic quota for India by securing fourth position at the World Championship in Cairo, Egypt, in the men’s 50m rifle 3-position. This was thus when he sealed his seat to Paris 2024, which he finally wanted to stamp his presence there.
Swapnil Kusale’s Journey To The Top
Swapnil Kusale did not find an easy way to the top. He suffered a gigantic health blow in 2023 when he acquired a chronic tonsil problem which caused a great deal of ache and fever, but also weakened him at the same time. Through some doctors, it was finally diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Kusale was not going to let this one obstacle come between him, and he fought against that painful physical scenario, which kept going to training till the end so that he eventually won the trials for the Olympic games of 2024.
His stature in adversity makes his legacy one of the most determined athletes India has ever seen.
Swapnil Kusale’s Story of Inspiration
An otherwise illustrious career now has an enhanced light through parallels drawn with that other cricketing superstar, MS Dhoni. His life is perhaps the most relevant example of somebody who juggled a high-paying job with high-octane sports. Kusale has been the ticket collector on Central Railways since 2015. Indeed, it finds a parallel when one considers the life history of MS. Dhoni, who as a cricketer was himself a professional during his time of playing.
Similarity Between MS Dhoni And Swapnil Kusale
Both MS Dhoni and Swapnil Kusale are known to be very calm and composed under pressure, which has been a major reason for their success. Dhoni has had a great influence on Swapnil Kusale, as the story of the legendary cricketer who rose from the grassroots and excelled under pressure has been a big time source of inspiration for the shooter.
Looking Ahead
The country is celebrating him as a commitment and talent show as Swapnil Kusale is set to receive the Arjuna Award. This is going to be the most memorable episode in Indian sports and is quite apt for an excellent contribution of his to the world of shooting in getting the Arjuna Award.
Still looking for more, this is just the start for Swapnil Kusale, who is going to be eyed by India in years ahead as a sure prospect for glory on the international stage, for he has already attained the pinnacle and the Arjuna Award marks just one milestone in his magnificent career.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
