"Lucky to win alongside coach," says Arjuna awardee Swapnil Kusale

The 2024 Paris Olympics medallist Swapnil Kusale was honoured with the Arjuna award along with 31 others by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.

Kusale had won a bronze medal in men's 50m rifle 3 positions event in the quadrennial event at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in France. 

His long-time coach Deepali Deshpande, meanwhile, was handed the Dronacharya Award – Indian sports' highest coaching honour – at the same ceremony.

"It's a special day for me," said Kusale, in an conversation with The Bridge, following the award ceremony.

"Every athlete dreams of winning an award together with their coach.

"I got the opportunity this time and I am very lucky for that," he added.

'Will try to win Khel Ratna next'

Meanwhile, Ajeet Singh Yadav, who was also honoured with the Arjuna Award, expressed his desire to pocket the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna – India's highest sporting honour – next time. 

"I am wearing a maroon blazer right now," said Yadav. "The aim is to try and earn a Khel Ratna next time."

Yadav had won a silver medal in men's F46 javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. He is also a former world champion and had won a bronze medal in the World Para Athletics Championships at Kobe, Japan last year.

The 31-year-old Yadav is now looking forward to the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, which will be held in New Delhi later this year.

"India is going to host such a big Para Athletics event for the first in history," Yadav grinned. "The preparations for the event are going well.

"The aim is to win a gold medal in Delhi in front of the home crowd," he added.

'Focus on your aim'

Navdeep Singh, the 2024 Paralympics champion in men's F41 javelin throw, was also among the Arjuna award winners for the year.

"Don't think of yourselves as weaker than others," Singh said when asked about a message to youth. "Be dedicated and focus on your aim."

The 24-year-old short statured athlete now has his eyes set on carrying the momentum from the Paris Games to the future events.

"We've started training. The coach has set some plans and I just need to follow them," he said.