Paris Olympics bronze-winning rifle shooter Swapnil Kusale reveals his determination to upgrade his medal to gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, citing his coach Deepali Deshpande's imparted mindset as a crucial factor in his success. Deshpande, who received the Dronacharya Award on the same day as Kusale's Arjuna Award, also emphasizes the importance of a clear mindset in winning medals at major events. The duo's strong coach-athlete bond and shared national recognition serve as a celebratory moment for their "family" in shooting sports.
Swapnil Kusale's Olympic Bronze: A Journey to Gold in Los Angeles 2028
Following his historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, rifle shooter Swapnil Kusale has set his sights on upgrading his medal to gold at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Background and Success:
Kusale, a resident of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, first rose to prominence in 2018 when he became the national champion in the men's 50m rifle three positions event. He followed this up with a silver medal at the 2019 Asian Championships and a gold medal at the 2021 World Shooting Para Sport Championships.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Kusale became the first Indian shooter to win a medal in the men's 50m rifle three positions event. He overcame a challenging qualification round to finish third in the final, securing India's third medal of the Games.
Inspiration from Coach Deepali Deshpande:
Kusale credits his success to the guidance and support of his coach, Deepali Deshpande. Deshpande, a renowned shooting coach who has trained several national and international champions, received the prestigious Dronacharya Award on the same day as Kusale's Arjuna Award.
Deshpande emphasizes the importance of a clear and focused mindset for success in major sporting events. She believes that Kusale's mental toughness and unwavering determination were key factors in his Olympic achievement.
Los Angeles 2028: Aiming for Gold
Inspired by his coach and driven by his own ambition, Kusale is determined to improve upon his bronze medal performance in Los Angeles 2028. He believes that with continued hard work and a strong mindset, he can make the podium once again and this time, climb to the top.
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