India's Triumphs at the Olympics – 3 Champions and Counting

Swapnil Kusale

Fulfilling the dream of 1.4 billion Indians, Swapnil Kusale made history by clinching the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P event at the Paris Olympics. This remarkable achievement makes Kusale the first Indian shooter to win a medal in this event, marking a significant milestone for Indian sports.

Drawing inspiration from cricket icon M S Dhoni, Kusale, who shares the profession of a railway ticket collector with Dhoni, has been a dedicated athlete since 2012. The 29-year-old from Kambalwadi village, near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, has finally realized his Olympic dream after a 12-year wait.

Kusale's inspiration comes not only from sports legends but also from his family. His father and brother are educators, and his mother serves as the sarpanch of Kambalwadi village, instilling in him the values of hard work and determination.

Manu Bhaker

Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker has scripted a new chapter in Indian sports history at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in three events—10m air pistol women’s, 10m air pistol mixed team, and 25m pistol women’s—Bhaker secured bronze medals in both 10m events, teaming up with fellow Haryanvi shooter Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team event.

Bhaker becomes the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single Olympic edition since Norman Pritchard in 1900.

Born in Goria village of Jhajjar district in Haryana, Bhaker's early years were marked by excellence in various sports, including Huyen langlon, a Manipuri martial art, as well as boxing, tennis, and skating, where she won medals at national games. Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, is a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy and has been a supportive influence in her athletic pursuits.

Sarabjot Singh

Sarabjot Singh joined the ranks of Olympic medalists as he partnered with Manu Bhaker to win bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. The duo's victory over South Korea added another accolade to India's Olympic achievements, making Sarabjot the first Indian shooter to win a medal since Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar's successes in 2012.

Hailing from Dheen village in Ambala, Sarabjot was initially drawn to football before discovering his passion for shooting during a summer camp. Under the guidance of coach Abhishek Rana, he honed his skills at the AR Shooting Academy. Sarabjot's transition to senior ranks has been marked by a series of accomplishments, including gold at the 2019 Junior World Championship and multiple medals at the 2023 Asian Games and Championships.