Pune: Swapnil Kusale Credits Bappa for His Success, Visits Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
Pune: Swapnil Kusale, a bronze medalist from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in the Paris 2024 Olympics, expressed his gratitude to Lord Ganesha after returning to Pune today. Kusale secured the bronze in the 50m rifle three positions, making him the second athlete from Maharashtra to win an individual Olympic medal.
Upon his arrival at Pune Airport, Kusale received a warm welcome. He then visited the famous Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, where he performed an aarti and thanked the deity for his success. The temple trust also extended a warm welcome to Kusale.
“I came here first because Bappa has given me everything I asked for,” Kusale said, offering his respects with the traditional chant of “Ganapati Bappa Morya.”
Maharashtra last saw an individual Olympic medal in 1952 when Khashaba Jadhav, also from Kolhapur, won a bronze in wrestling. Kusale’s victory fulfills a long-held dream for Kolhapur, as he becomes the second individual medalist from the region in Olympic history.
Swapnil Kusale’s achievement in the 50m rifle three positions marks India’s first medal in this category at the Olympics. His outstanding performance has been widely praised across the nation.
