Swapnil Kusale hoping for unrealised dreams to come true ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics [Exclusive]
Ahead of a maiden Olympic campaign, shooter Swapnil Kusale is hoping for some of his many unrealised dreams to come true soon.
Swapnil who will represent India in the 50m rifle 3 positions event along with teammate Aishwary Tomar revealed that he is focused on the process ahead of the big event.
The marksman from Maharashtra also explained the significance of the Luxembourg camp which the Indian shooters attended before traveling to Paris.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Swapnil Kusale stated:
"I have not yet realised my dreams but I am working towards achieving them. I fervently wish that the dreams are realised soon."
Refusing to elaborate on medal aspirations at the Paris Games, Swapnil who will asserted that he was fully focussed on the process and not the outcome.
"Right now, we are following the process and that is what we are focussed on," he asserted.
Swapnil disclosed that the Indians chose to train at a shooting range in Luxembourg ahead of the Paris Games given the similarity in conditions to the French capital.
"Luxembourg is similar to France by way of weather conditions and the range too is very similar to the one in Paris. The training sessions there progressed really well," Swapnil explained.
The Pune-based shooter who has been hampered by health issues in the past clarified that he is now well and is not under any food-based restrictions.
"I do not consider it an issue but a part of my life. I do not really need to take any precautions with regard to my diet at the present time. I know what food is good for my body and I choose to eat that. So, I consider that normal," said Swapnil who was diagnosed with lactose intolerance in the recent past.
"I spoke to myself to calm my mind" - How Swapnil Kusale used intrapersonal communication to overcome pressure of NRAI trials
Swapnil Kusale calmed his mind using intrapersonal communication during the high-pressure NRAI trials which involved four rounds.
Akhil Sheoran, who like Swapnil had won a quota for the country failed to make the cut for Paris after being outperformed by the Pune-based shooter in the Olympic selection trials.
Swapnil revealed that he convinced himself that "it was just a game" to develop a peaceful mindset during the all-important trials.
"The pressure of the trial was the same for everyone involved and along with the pressure came the challenges as well. It was extremely important to have a peaceful mindset during the competition," Swapnil said.
"I spoke to myself a lot and told myself that it was just a game. That was the only way to calm my mind and that was important. I also had faith that all the work I put in over the years would yield results," he stressed.
Swapnil Kusale who missed out on an Asian Games medal in the individual 50m 3 positions event after faltering at the final hurdle pointed out that he learned from the experience at Hangzhou.
"There is always something to learn from each competition. It was the same with the Asian Games as well and as soon the tournament ended and we returned to India, I worked on what had gone wrong and found solutions. It's much better now," Swapnil Kusale declared.
Swapnil did, however, team up with Aishwary Tomar and Akhil Sheoran to win a gold medal for India in the 50m 3-positions team event in Hangzhou.
Shooting at the Paris Games will be held at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux. Qualification rounds for the 50m rifle 3 positions men's qualification will take place on July 31.