Brothers Henry and Jackson Leverett will compete in Tokyo next month with the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team in the men’s 25-meter rapid-fire pistol event.
The United States received a second quota after an exchange with the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF). The awarding of this second quota, along with the vacancy due to suspended pistol shooter Keith Sanderson, left two open spots on the U.S. team that are now filled with the Leveretts.
Natives of Bainbridge, Ga., the Leverett brothers started shooting in 2008 through a local 4-H program. Henry and Jackson shot in their first competition when they were eight and nine years old, respectively. It wasn’t until their dad saw a newspaper article regarding rapid-fire pistol that younger brother Henry gravitated towards it.
Shooting for the Leveretts has become a family affair. Younger sister Abbie is also a pistol shooter, and their parents have taken up shooting as a hobby. Over the past five years, a Leverett has won gold at the National Junior Olympic Pistol Championships.
Seventeen months apart in age, Henry and Jackson are both rising sophomores at the Ohio State University. As freshmen on the Ohio State University pistol team, the brothers helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2021 National Pistol Championship title. Prior to collegiate shooting, the Leveretts set four USA Shooting national records in junior men’s rapid-fire and sport pistol events from 2016–2019 while competing at a dozen international competitions.
The Leverett brothers are excited to compete in Tokyo next month for the Olympics. The fact they are competing together at the Games makes it even more special for both of them.
“It means a lot to me to have this experience with my brother,” said Henry Leverett. “It’s my first time in Japan and at the Games, so to have my best friend there with me is really comforting, especially when the competition and chaos begins.”
“It’s an honor to be named to the team [and] an amazing opportunity,” said Jackson Leverett. “I still haven’t fully processed everything, but I’m excited to see it all and compete in Tokyo. It couldn’t have worked out better for us both to be going. To compete and support each other in Tokyo—that will be an experience in itself.”
The Tokyo Olympic Games start July 23 with the opening ceremonies. The shooting events begin July 24 and will continue until August 2. The Leverett brothers will compete in the men's 25-meter rapid-fire pistol event on August 1. See the full 2021 Tokyo Olympics livestreaming schedule here.
Learn more at USAShooting.org.
Lead photo courtesy of Ohio State Athletics.
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