On an empty stomach and with his heart racing, Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale kept his composure to stage a remarkable comeback and help the country claim its first ever Olympic bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event here on Thursday.
Kusale shot an aggregate of 451.4 in the eight-shooter final to finish third after being placed sixth at one stage. It took the country’s overall tally to three, all bronze in shooting, at the Paris Games.
His medal comes following the stunning performance of Manu Bhaker, who clinched the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh.
“I did not eating anything, was feeling the butterflies (in my stomach). Just had black tea and came here. The night before every match, I just pray to god,” Kusale said after his unprecedented achievement.