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

Wright Milancortina2026 1
Wright Milancortina2026 1

Milan Cortina 2026: Campbell Wright Takes 12th in Men’s Biathlon Sprint, Eyes Pursuit Podium on Sunday

Campbell Wright finished 12th in the men’s 10 km sprint biathlon race at Milan Cortina 2026, positioning himself for a pursuit bid on Sunday.

Milan Cortina 2026: Freed Leads Team USA Women Through Biathlon’s Toughest Test in Olympic Debut

Margie Freed leads Team USA women in her Olympic debut at Milan Cortina 2026, finishing 21st in the 15 km individual biathlon while teammate Deedra Irwin placed 34th.

American Rimfire Association Opens Benchrest Competition by Lowering the Cost to Participate

The American Rimfire Association expands rimfire benchrest competition through affordable factory-class rules, youth-friendly policies and inclusive match formats that welcome all shooters.

A Decade on the Firing Line: The National Matches 1920–1929

From Camp Perry’s wind flags to Sea Girt’s surf, the 1920s remade the National Matches into America’s proving ground for pistol, smallbore and high power competition.

Registration Open for 2026 Winchester & White Flyer Top Shot Youth Championship at NILO

Winchester and White Flyer bring the Top Shot Youth Championship back to NILO for a third year with big prizes and family-friendly competition.

Team Remington’s Powell and Hitch Dominate 2026 Caribbean Classic

Team Remington’s Powell and Hitch posted solid scores across multiple events at the 2026 Caribbean Classic in Florida.

Interests



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