From Railways to Olympics: Swapnil Kusale aims for glory in 50m Rifle final inspired by M.S. Dhoni!

Chateauroux: Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, draws inspiration from cricket legend M.S. Dhoni. Much like Dhoni, who started his career as a railway ticket collector, Kusale also works for the railways, which adds a personal connection to his admiration for the former Indian captain. 

The 29-year-old shooter hails from Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra and has been competing in international events since 2012. However, it took him 12 years of dedication and hard work to finally make his Olympic debut at the Paris Games. 

For Kusale, calmness and patience are crucial traits for a successful shooter, and these qualities are also hallmarks of Dhoni's personality. His respect for Dhoni goes beyond mere admiration for his cricketing skills; Kusale sees a reflection of his own life in Dhoni’s journey. He has watched the biopic of the World Cup-winning captain multiple times and hopes to emulate his lofty achievements in sport.

Kusale's goal is clear: a top-three finish in the 50m rifle three positions final would secure his place among the elite achievers in Indian sports. "I don't follow anyone specific in the shooting world," Kusale told PTI shortly after finishing seventh in a tightly contested qualification round. "Outside of that, I admire Dhoni for the person that he is. My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was."

Kusale has been employed with Central Railways since 2015, balancing his shooting career with his job. During the qualification round, he faced stiff competition, particularly from two Czech shooters who also scored 590 points. However, Kusale secured his spot in the final due to the highest number of inner 10s, achieving 38 compared to Jiri Privratsky and Petr Nymbursky, who finished eighth. 

Inspiration is not just drawn from Dhoni; Kusale has a strong support system at home as well. His father and brother are teachers in a local district school, and his mother serves as the sarpanch (village head) of Kambalwadi, creating a nurturing environment that emphasizes education and discipline. 

Despite the high expectations, Kusale remains focused on the present. He expressed his mindset during the qualification round, saying, "Every shot is a new shot. I was just trying to be patient. The whole match, I had the same mindset: just shoot with patience. At the back of your mind, you think about your scores, but it's better if you don't."

Having reached this stage, Kusale acknowledges that the job is only half done. He draws additional motivation from compatriot Manu Bhaker, who has made headlines with her unprecedented two medals at the Games. "It has been a great experience so far. I love shooting and I am glad that I have been able to do it for so long. Seeing Manu do well gives us a lot of confidence. If she can do it, we can do it too," Kusale stated.

National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan is optimistic about Kusale’s chances in the final, having closely monitored his progress. "He is in a good frame of mind. We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient and is good technically and physically," Ohlyan added.

With his sights set on Olympic glory, Kusale embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination, making him a promising talent in Indian shooting. As he prepares for the final, he remains grounded in his values, drawing inspiration from his idol, M.S. Dhoni, while striving to carve his own path in the annals of Indian sports history. PTI