"Feels Like Destiny": Gagan Narang Recalls Playing Against Olympics Medal Winner Swapnil Kusale

Former Indian shooter and Olympic medalist and country's chef-de-mission for Paris Olympics 2024 Gagan Narang lauded the Indian shooting contingent for their fantastic performances at the ongoing marquee competition and also recalled competing with bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale in 2017. The Indian shooting contingent at the ongoing Paris Olympics has surpassed expectations, with three Bronze medals in the kitty so far. Though Manu Bhaker narrowly missed out on adding a third medal to her kitty as she finished fourth in the 25m pistol shooting on Saturday, she will return home as the only Indian to have ever won two medals at the same Olympic Games.

Manu secured a medal in the women's 10 m air pistol event, and then followed it up with another Bronze win along with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed-team event. Both of these medals were historic. While Manu's solo medal was India's first-ever shooting medal by a woman, the medal won along with Sarabjot was India's first-ever medal in team shooting.

Swapnil's stunning bronze medal-winning performance in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event also gave Indian sporting fans something to celebrate.

Gagan said as per a press release, "It has been an emotional first week in Paris, with shooting giving us a head start in the medal tally. I am overwhelmed with happiness to see Manu, Sarabjot and Swapnil win medals at the same time."

"I remember competing alongside Swapnil in 2017 at the Commonwealth Championship in Gold Coast, where he claimed the bronze medal after giving me a tough fight for the silver. It is truly emotional to see him reaching this level and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India, and that too, on the same day when I had won mine in 2012