Pune: Swapnil Kusale, who brought home a bronze medal from the 33rd Paris Olympics, was accorded a grand welcome upon his return to Pune. Despite his recent success, Kusale remains focused on his ultimate goal: winning an Olympic gold medal.

During an interaction organized by the Pune Shramik Patrakar Sangh, Kusale, accompanied by his mentor Deepali Deshpande, shared his determination to continue his journey towards Olympic gold.

Kusale, who began his shooting career in Nashik, credited his improvements to the training he received after joining the Sports Authority of India.

He acknowledged the financial challenges of his sport but expressed gratitude for the support from the government, which enabled him to win a medal for Maharashtra and India.

He also highlighted the importance of mental toughness, thanking his mental trainer Vaibhav Agashe for his guidance on handling pressure. Kusale mentioned that avoiding social media helped him stay focused on his goals.

Coach Deepali Deshpande remarked, "It took 72 years after Khashaba Jadhav for Maharashtra to win an Olympic medal, but the perspective towards sports has been changing. Previously, we had to rely on government support for financial assistance, and some generous individuals would help.

However, today, athletes are performing well, leading many companies to support them financially through CSR initiatives. This shows that the mentality of society is changing."

Swapnil also shared his experience of living in the Olympic Village, describing it as different but similar to meeting friends, with a casual atmosphere.

Initially, athletes exchange 'pins' with each other, which helps in forming friendships. These friendships often lead to learning new things, which in turn benefits one's performance.