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

Rrogers Arcfreedomregional 1
Rrogers Arcfreedomregional 1

Randi Rogers Rediscovers Rifle Competition at 2026 NRA Faces of Freedom ARC Regional Championship

Team Ruger’s Randi Rogers and Gordon Carrell deliver standout performances at NRA Faces of Freedom ARC Regional Championship in South Dakota.

Gallery: 2026 ATA Grand American World Trapshooting Championships

The 2026 Amateur Trapshooting Association Grand American in photos.

Polite Society Industries Launches Six Suppressors, Promises Fix, Replace Or Refund

Polite Society Industries launches its first suppressor line—six models, rimfire through .36 caliber—priced against the post-tax-stamp market with a money-back guarantee.

Legends: Allan Cors, 1936–2026

Allan D. Cors, the NRA’s 63rd president and a Distinguished Rifleman who helped create NRA-ILA, died Aug. 10, 2026.

Richard Marshall, Jr., Claims Grand American HOA, Doubles Titles

Trap Talk cohost and Fiocchi pro shooter Richard Marshall, Jr., is Grand American Doubles and High Over All Champion after the close of the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s marquee event.

CMP Sets January 2027 for M14 Rifle Sales

CMP will open M14 rifle sales in January 2027, priced under $2,000, limited to two per person annually, with 100,000-plus rifles available.

Interests



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