U.S. Olympic Shooters Achieve Best Performance Since 1964

by
posted on August 12, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Best US Olympic

Shooters from the United States claimed six medals during the 2021 Olympics, the most since the games in 1964, coincidentally also held in Tokyo. The total number of medals include three Golds—one each in Men’s Skeet, Women’s Skeet and Men’s Air Rifle. Americans also took Silvers in Women’s Trap and 10-Meter Air Rifle Mixed Team and a Bronze in Trap Mixed Team.

Colorado Springs, Co. native Amber English (above) claimed Gold in Women’s Skeet with a final score of 56 hits, setting a new Olympic record. Her road to that victory and new highwater mark was not an easy one, though.

In 2012, she narrowly missed making the U.S. team, and shortly after missing the cut again in 2016, her father—a five-time national shooting champion—died. It was a devastating blow, and she found it hard to get back on the firing line. In 2017, she joined the U.S. Army. With the encouragement from family and friends, particularly fellow competitive shotgunner Vincent Hancock, she became a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. She rose to the rank of first lieutenant and has now claimed Olympic Gold.

Hancock was there along her side for the victory, at least when he wasn’t shooting himself. He took top honors in Men’s Skeet, becoming the first man in history to claim three Gold Medals in the event.

William Shaner took the first Olympic Medal ever claimed by the United States in Men’s Air Rifle. It was a Gold one, too. The student at the University of Kentucky clung to a narrow 1.5-point lead to get it done, although his scorching score of 251.6 also set a new Olympic record.

Kayle Browning took Silver in Women’s Trap, as did Mary Tucker and Lucas Kozeniesky in the 10-Meter Air Rifle Mixed Team event. Madelynn Ann Bernau and Brian Burrows claimed Bronze in Trap Mixed Team.

Photo by Maj. Nathaniel Garcia, courtesy of the U.S. Army

Latest

Google Ai Logo
Google Ai Logo

AI Summaries Reducing Firearm-Related Web Traffic, Sharing Incorrect Information

"[T]here are increasing concerns about how frequently AI systems invent false information—AKA hallucinations—with error rates in some tests reaching as high as 79 percent.”

Preview: Rite In The Rain 25 Meter M16A2/M4 Zeroing Targets

Precipitation and humidity can render a standard paper target unusable in only seconds, which is what makes Rite In The Rain’s line of weatherproof targets such a godsend for outdoor shooters.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Now Available In .30-30 Win.

Smith & Wesson expanded its Model 1854 series of lever-action rifles with several .30-30 Win.-chambered variants, just in time for deer season.

Preview: Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket

In Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket, author Peter Smithurst details the tools and processes used to produce this historically significant firearm.

Gun Of The Week: Charter Arms Double Dog

For this Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with a convertible wheelgun from Charter Arms, and it’s one that goes from .357 Mag to 9 mm Luger quickly and easily. Welcome to the Double Dog.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 17, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.