EXCLUSIVE: We believed Swapnil was holding back his best for Paris Olympics, says shooter Akhil Sheoran

India has won another bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. This time, it was a surprising achievement as Swapnil Kusale clinched bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. It was a significant milestone for Indian shooting.

Ranked 62nd in the world, Swapnil defied the odds and managed to secure the medal at the Olympics on his own. Akhil Sheoran initially won the quota for India at the Olympics, however, in the national trials, Aishwarya Pratap secured his place.

The 29-year-old Akhil and Swapnil share a deep connection, having been childhood friends and competing together in the 50m rifle 3 positions event since junior levels. Earlier, Swapnil shone at the Asian Games in the team event with Akhil Sheoran and Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar.

InsideSport exclusively spoke with world-ranked 16 and seasoned shooter Akhil Sheoran.

Akhil’s reaction to Swapnil’s win

When asked about his reaction to Swapnil’s win, Akhil said, “My initial reaction was one of excitement. We were following the finals online, watching the live updates. When we saw that Swapnil was in the lead, we were confident he would win the medal. He was in excellent shape and highly focused, having dedicated the last 2-3 years to perfecting his craft. When it was officially announced that he had won the bronze medal, it was a moment of joy. It felt like a culmination of four years of hard work, primarily from Swapnil and also from everyone who supported him. I got goosebumps seeing him achieve this.”

Swapnil’s Remarkable Journey

Swapnil has come a long way to win the coveted bronze medal, as he was not initially considered a medal favourite. “Swapnil’s performance was remarkable, especially considering he wasn’t initially a medal favourite. He showed his potential when he won the quota in 2022 and consistently performed well in various competitions, including the Asian Games. Despite some setbacks, such as an accidental low-value shot, he proved he could handle pressure and deliver when it mattered most. His ability to manage pressure and stay focused was key to his success,” Akhil said.

Commitment to fitness

Swapnil worked hard for the medal, focusing not only on his shooting but also on gaining an edge in fitness. Akhil said, “Swapnil is incredibly dedicated. For instance, even after long travels for camps, he would go straight to the gym for a workout instead of resting. His commitment to fitness and his rigorous training schedule, especially after COVID, has been impressive. This dedication is what makes him stand out as a shooter.”

Breaking the fourth-place jinx

Swapnil has finally broken his jinx of finishing fourth, a position he often occupied in major competitions like the Asian Games and World Championships. Reflecting on this, Akhil said, “Yes, we talked about it often. Swapnil had this recurring issue of finishing fourth in major competitions, but we always believed that his time would come. We reassured him that he was holding back his best performances for something significant. It’s clear now that all those near-misses were leading up to this Olympic medal. He finally made it happen, and it’s a testament to his resilience and hard work.”

Chak De India Olympics Paris Olympics