Team USA's Will Shaner Wins Olympic Air Rifle Gold Medal

by
posted on July 25, 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. **
will_shaner2.jpg

On Sunday, Jul. 25 at the Tokyo Olympics, Team USA's Will Shaner won the gold medal in the men's 10-meter air rifle event. Shaner, at age 20, is the second youngest athlete to win a gold medal in this event.

Ranked 21st in the world prior to the Tokyo Olympics, Shaner set an Olympic record with his gold-medal winning score of 251.6. He triumphed over a talented field of shooters in the final, including the silver and bronze medal winners from China, Sheng Lihao and Yang Haoran, along with Shaner's teammate Lucas Kozeniesky who finished in sixth place.

The NBC Olympics website has a good breakdown of the men's 10-meter air rifle final. See an excerpt below:

"Going into the last two shots, Shaner had a lead of 1.5 points over China's Sheng Lihao, at 16 even younger than Shaner. Shaner's next shot was the worst of his final so far, a 10.1. But Sheng managed only a 10.3 and gained little ground. Shaner sealed the win with a 10.2, good enough to take the win despite Sheng's 10.8."

Foreshadowing his Olympic performance in what is essentially the same event, earlier this year Shaner won a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup Croatia.

A student at the University of Kentucky and a member of the rifle team, Shaner's U.S. teammate and Kentucky teammate Mary Tucker finished sixth in air rifle on Saturday.

The next shooting events for Team USA are the air rifle mixed team event and the skeet finals.

Learn more at USAShooting.org.


Read more: How To Watch Tokyo Olympics Shooting Events

Latest

CMP Buynow 1
CMP Buynow 1

CMP Streamlines Legacy M1 Garand Sales With Easy ‘Buy Now’ Feature

CMP’s new fixed-price “Buy Now” system makes it easier than ever to own a legacy, non-reclaimed M1 Garand rifle.

Watchtower Firearms, Demolition Ranch Team Up For Limited-Edition DEMOLITIA Blackout 1911

Watchtower Firearms releases limited-edition double-stack 1911 chambered in 9 mm designed with input from Demolition Ranch.

Federal Ammunition Honored With National 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award

Federal Ammunition receives 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award for over 40 years of support for youth programs.

New: Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE Rifles

Smith & Wesson launches the M&P 15 AXE lineup of suppressor-ready rifles with reduced gas blowback and modern features.

Review: Savage Arms Mark II & Winchester’s .21 Sharp

As demonstrated in the Savage Mark II FV-SR, Winchester’s .21 Sharp cartridge offers higher velocity and greater precision than .22 Long Rifle rounds.

Marsh Edges Stine In Canadian Showdown To Win Lapua Monarch Cup Opener

Justin Marsh edges Jake Stine by one point to win the Canadian NRA Smallbore Silhouette Nationals and first stage of the 2025 Lapua Monarch Cup.

Interests



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