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

Double Stack 1911 Web Main
Double Stack 1911 Web Main

A Guide To Double-Stack 1911s

The 2011 brings double-stack capacity and modular upgrades to the 1911 platform, but not every wide-body 1911 out there earns that name.

Legislators Enjoy Afternoon Of Clays With Benelli USA, Among Others

A bipartisan group of Maryland state legislators met with firearm industry manufacturers and representatives for a day of clays shooting while also attending discussions on the positive economic impacts of the shooting sports.

2025 Ammunition Product Of The Year: Winchester .21 Sharp

For continuing to innovate, particularly in a corner of the ammo world that has seen very little recently, we named the Winchester .21 Sharp as our Ammunition Product Of The Year.

Rifleman Review: Hammerli Arms Force B1

The Hammerli Arms Force B1 is one of the most versatile rimfire rifles on the market, providing room for accessories, allowing for a personal stock fit and even offering caliber-interchangeability.

New For 2025: CZ Scorpion 3+ Magpul Edition

CZ-USA has enhanced its Scorpion 3+ pistol-caliber carbine yet again with a slate of factory-installed Magpul components and accessories.

Summer Suppressor Deals On Now

Whether it is a BOGO deal from SIG or free tax stamps from Guns.com and Silencer Central, there's plenty of hearing-safe savings to be had this summer.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.