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

Hornady Mar2026 PRS 1
Hornady Mar2026 PRS 1

Clay Blackketter Claims Open Division Title at 2026 Southern Iowa Showdown

Team Hornady’s Clay Blackketter wins Open division at 2026 Southern Iowa Showdown shooting A-Tip Match bullets.

Team Remington Dominates Junior, Veteran Divisions at 46th Southern Grand American

Team Remington captures two championship titles at the 46th Southern Grand American at Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Florida.

USA Shooting Junior Program Gets a Boost From MidwayUSA Foundation Lones Wigger Endowment Grant

A grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Lones Wigger Endowment will cover ammunition, targets, entry fees and travel for USA Shooting’s junior athletes, including the 2026 ISSF Junior World Championship in Germany.

Your NRA In Your Pocket: Official App Now Available on iOS and Android

The NRA’s new official app offers a digital membership card, NRA-ILA news, digital magazines, local event search and exclusive member benefits on iOS and Android.

Historic Runs and Budget Storm Clouds: 1991 National Matches

The 1991 National Matches featured dominant performances by David Tubb Steve Reiter and Lones Wigger amid budget uncertainty and extreme weather.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Guide to Using a Sling for ARC

Kyle Lamb breaks down how a two-point quick-adjust sling stabilizes prone, kneeling and standing positions while enabling fast transitions during ARC competition.

Interests



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