My Olympic Quest-Swapnil Kusale on 2024 and Beyond

The Year of Achievements

Closing in on 2024 ends one year but holds a special significance in my life. Winning an Olympic bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions at the Summer Olympics held in Paris was a monumental moment, not only for me but also for my country. It was even more special because it happened in my birthday month, August. I treasure that achievement, though the biggest dream remains clear-Olympic gold. The bronze was a step forward, and 2025 marks the beginning of an even more determined journey toward achieving the goal in Los Angeles.

Châteauroux: Building Self-Confidence

It was much earlier during the Olympic Test event at the Châteauroux Shooting Range, where without flags or the iconic rings of the Olympic helped me focus all my practice onto the range. Practicing there over a long time helped me accustom myself to the conditions which are a considerable factor in performing. This ranged experience and comprehension of the subtle variations associated with the subtleties of weather became invaluable at crunch time.

Missing the opening ceremony was a piece of good fortune. I could focus all my energy on the event. Silver and gold medallists were Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh. Now, Indian shooting was making waves and it was as if being a part of this swelling success story.

Preparing My Mind and Body

The week ahead of my performance was a desperate attempt to synchronize the body and the mind. Contrasted heavy workouts on one end with emotional calmness, which I had discovered as a coping mechanism to address all the setbacks in front of me, starting from being lactose intolerant and, hence, not allowed to have any dairy product. It was difficult some months back finding suitable food items while outside my country. But, slowly, all those logistically-related problems disappeared, and I was given the whole opportunity to focus on what I had to do in that performance.

Each tournament teaches you valuable lessons, and my approach in Paris was pretty simple: control the controllables. That mentality really helped me to deal with almost all of those external pressures-wind and unpredictable weather conditions as challenges rather than distractions.

The Paris Experience: From Qualification to Podium

The Paris Olympic final was a challenge in its own right but due to the strong winds. Decisions to shoot or wait had to be calculated based on conditions, which the flags told about the wind. That was the way through which I ended up in the podium.

I had just set my eyes on the bronze medal. Immediately, my target was chasing gold. It was a bit short of achieving that, but standing on the podium and seeing the tricolor hoisted was overwhelming with pride. Bronze was not the endpoint but rather a step closer to my ultimate aspiration.

The Road to Shooting: A Journey of Passion

I began my shooting journey back in 2011 as I chose to compete with the.22 rifle and it was truly a wonder of precision, wind influence, and distance coupled with three shooting positions: standing, kneeling, and prone. These eventually became my bases for mastering my craft as I hone my skills. Every medal has added to the value that makes me an athlete-the 2022 Cairo World Championship bronze, the Baku World Cup silver, and an Olympic quota for India.

Competitions have taught me to accept challenges rather than avoid them. I have always tried to give my best in every series, analyzed my performance for improvements, and not to dwell on the mistakes made earlier. This attitude has always kept me grounded and motivated.

Support and celebration of achievements

Coming back to India after the Olympics, love and support from my family, friends, and coaches was heartwarming. My parents, Suresh and Anita Kusale, along with my coach Deepali Deshpande and physio Sumita Jain, have been pillars of support throughout my journey. Celebrating success with them during festivals like Ganpati and Diwali added joy to an already memorable year.

One of the favorite ways is listening to devotional songs, which helps maintain focus and peace of mind even before the tournaments. It was a small little ritual that it helped me balance myself amidst chaotic high-pressure competitions.

Looking Forward: The road to gold.

My Olympics will win during the year 2025 as the year opens, and the immediate future holds both World Cup and World Championships on the horizon of the destination. Techniques, and maintenance of peaking fitness with preservation of developed form, shall be my paramount concerns.

Every year is a continuation of the journey, not a restart. The target remains the same, and every competition, practice session, and lesson learned gets me closer to it. Winning the bronze in Paris has fueled my determination, and I am ready to push harder for gold in Los Angeles.

Conclusion: A Step Forward, Not the End

2024 was a year of triumphs and learning. It will forever remain etched in my mind as the year when I brought home an Olympic medal for India. However, this is only the beginning of a much larger journey. With unwavering focus and relentless effort, I will continue to make every move toward winning that Olympic gold a nearer reality. The road ahead is tough, but each step counts. I am ready to walk it with determination and pride.