Ginny Thrasher Wins First Gold Medal in Rio

by
posted on August 6, 2016
** 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. **
gt1.jpg
Ginny Thrasher, 19, of Springfield, VA, won the first gold medal of the Olympics this year in Rio. Thrasher triumphed over silver medalist Du Li of China in the finals by a full point in the women's 10 meter air rifle event. 

A member of this year's NCAA champion West Virginia University rifle team, Thrasher faced a challenging Olympic field at the Olympic Shooting Center—especially the veteran competitive shooter Du, who was a gold medal winner at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. 

Ginny Thrasher is now the third U.S. shooter to win the women's 10 meter air rifle event at the Olympics, and the first since Nancy Napolski-Johnson won the gold in 2000.

The event was streamed live on the NBC Olympics website. 

Thrasher's USA Shooting teammate Sarah Scherer finished in eighth place.

Watch Ginny Thrasher on the Olympic range again this Thursday, August 11, for the women’s 50 meter rifle 3-P event.

Need help finding your favorite competitive shooters on TV and online this year at the Olympics? Our friends at NRA Family have an article that will help.

Photo credit to WVU Athletics.

Latest

Federal Subsonic Target 1
Federal Subsonic Target 1

New: Federal Subsonic Rifle Target Loads

Federal Ammunition’s new Subsonic rifle target loads eliminate the supersonic crack that suppressors cannot silence, shipping now with three cartridges at 1,000 fps from $36.99 to $54.99.

New: Ruger 250th Anniversary Series

Ruger’s 250th Anniversary Series marks the U.S. semiquincentennial with eight limited-production items.

Erich Mietenkorte Sweeps Smallbore, High Power at 2026 Bernd Meier Silhouette Championship

Team Lapua’s Erich Mietenkorte wins both discipline titles at 2026 Bernd Meier Silhouette Invitational Championship in British Columbia in March.

Jessie Harrison’s Dominant Run at the 2026 US Steel Nationals

Taurus Team Captain Jessie Harrison claims Ladies Carry Optics, Ladies Open and Ladies Overall honors at 2026 US Steel Nationals.

Bethel University Clears the Board at SASP College National Championship

Bethel University becomes first team in history to sweep all 11 discipline titles at 2026 SASP College National Championship at Talladega Marksmanship Park.

MAC Athletes Shine at 2026 ASSA Intercollegiate Nationals

Coast Guard Bears earn team bronze in smallbore, aggregate; Rhode Island’s Sophia Wood ranks third at 2026 ASSA Intercollegiate Rifle Club Nationals.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.