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

2026 NRA Pistol Teamresults 1
2026 NRA Pistol Teamresults 1

2026 NRA National Pistol Championship Team Results

USAMU Blue posted the week’s top team aggregate while Zero Lapua defended its open club title at the 2026 NRA Pistol Nationals.

Jon Shue Wins Fourth Consecutive NRA National Pistol Title

Jon Shue claims his fourth consecutive NRA Precision Pistol national title with a 2659-156X Grand Aggregate at the Cardinal Shooting Center.

Vintage USPSA Scoring Overlays Reveal A Forgotten Rule

These vintage USPSA/NROI scoring overlays lack a .40-cal. gauge and feature mysterious “eyebrow” markings tied to a long-retired scoring rule.

Wilson Combat Marks 250 Years of American Independence with Limited Edition 1911 Series

Wilson Combat’s America 250th Limited Edition 1911 Series celebrates the Semiquincentennial with commemorative engraving, including 25 pistols hand-engraved by Wayne D’Angelo.

Review: SIG Sauer P211-GTO

USPSA’s Jake Martens reviews the SIG Sauer P211-GTO, a compensated, optics-ready double-stack 1911 that feeds from P320 magazines.

2026 NRA National Pistol Championship Underway at Cardinal Center

Competition is in full swing at the 2026 NRA Pistol Nationals in Marengo, Ohio, with Jon Shue chasing a fourth consecutive title.

Interests



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