Everything You Need To Know About ‘Ticket Collector’ Shooter Swapnil Kusale, Inspired By MS Dhoni

Advertisement

Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale created history at the Paris Olympics, he became the first Indian shooter to reach the final and this time he became the third Indian to win a bronze medal in the 50m rifle. After reaching the final, Swapnil said that cricket legend MS Dhoni inspires him as both were railway ticket collectors in their early careers.

29-year-old Swapnil Kusale, a resident of Kamalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, has been participating in international competitions since 2012, but he had to wait 12 more years to make his debut at the Paris Olympics. Being calm and patient is very important for shooting, and these qualities are also found in MS Dhoni. So it is no surprise that Kusale feels connected to Dhoni’s life story.

Also Read: 1956 Olympic Flame Hoax

Swapnil Kusale said that he has watched the biopic of World Cup winner Dhoni many times and hopes that he can achieve great achievements like this champion cricketer. Kusale won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Paris and will surely rank among the best athletes in India.

“I don’t follow any particular person in the world of shooting. But MS Dhoni is someone I respect a lot. My game also requires being as calm and composed as he is on the field. I also relate to his story because I was a ticket collector like him,” he said.

Advertisement

Swapnil Kusale receives a lot of gratitude on the X handle after taking home the bronze medal:

Swapnil Kusale, once a ticket collector, has made history as the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3P.

We are so proud of you!

Swapnil Kusale, once a ticket collector, has made history as the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3P.💪🏻🇮🇳🥉

We are so proud of you! pic.twitter.com/IkhcIbUQ1E

— The Better India (@thebetterindia) August 1, 2024

His previous coach said:

Very happy & emotional for Swapnil Kusale today. Qualifying for Olympic Finals in 50M events is always special as this event is not amongst the strongest challenge from India. Closely worked with him during my tenure as a Chief Coach of 50M Indian Shooting Team 2022-2023. Heres a nice picture where he won his First World Cup Silver at Baku 2022.  

Very happy & emotional for Swapnil Kusale today. Qualifying for Olympic Finals in 50M events is always special as this event is not amongst the strongest challenge from India. Closely worked with him during my tenure as a Chief Coach of 50M Indian Shooting Team 2022-2023. Heres a… pic.twitter.com/ke48mt1SDv

— Joydeep Karmakar OLY (@Joydeep709) July 31, 2024

Advertisement