Kusale ready for Olympics

Mumbai: Kolhapur, a district in Western Maharashtra, is known for its spicy food, a one-of-a-kind temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi and Kusti (wrestling). Such is the hold of wrestling in the city and people that Kolhapur is the home of Khasbag Maidan, one of the biggest wrestling stadia in India. Even though there is not a single wrestler from the district or state in the Paris 2024 squad for India, Swapnil Kusale, a shooter from Kambalwadi Walve village of the district, is hoping to make his mark in the Olympics in the Men’s 50m rifle event.

“My father is a school teacher and I think my sports background comes from there,” Kusale told this daily. “When I was in school, he enrolled me in Krida Prabodhini — a scheme by the Government of Maharashtra to help the growth of athletes. In the beginning, I was in Sangli (adjoining district of Kolhapur) for a year to get my physical fitness. When the Youth Games were going on and we were able to watch it on TV, I learned about the shooting. My interest grew eventually and then I decided to take it up. I was in 9th standard when I shifted to Nashik Krida Prabodhini to focus on shooting. We had our setup at Bhonsala Military School and it all started from there,” he added.