Lucas Kozeniesky earned a silver medal in Men’s 10-meter Air Rifle at the 2022 ISSF World Cup in Changwon, South Korea. The 2022 ISSF World Cup South Korea Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun competition was conducted July 9-21.
The silver adding to his many titles earned in just 2022 alone. “I went out there and performed the way I wanted to, I was pleased,” said Kozeniesky, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist. “This gave me confidence and told me there is room for growth leading into the World Championships.”
The World Cup medalist said that Changwon was good practice for the Olympic Games, because he wasn’t competing in many of events. Thus, Kozeniesky was able to focus his efforts on the individual competitions—much like the environment of the Olympic Games.
Kozeniesky also earned two titles at the 2022 USA Shooting Rifle National Championships weeks before ISSF World Cup in South Korea. He won gold in Men’s 50-meter Smallbore and silver in Men’s 10-meter Air Rifle.
“At the [USA Shooting] Nationals, I shot the best air gun I have since the Olympics,” said Kozeniesky, who is ranked ninth in the world for Men’s 10-meter Air Rifle.
At the 2022 ISSF Rio World Cup held this past April, Kozeniesky kicked off his bevy of 2022 titles with a bronze medal in the Men’s 50-meter Smallbore Team event, along with teammates Ivan Roe and Tim Sherry. In addition, he picked up a gold medal in the Men’s Air Rifle Team event with Will Shaner and Rylan Kissell.
“In team events, you rely on the other athletes to preform,” explained Kozeniesky, a North Carolina State University alumnus. “Will and Rylan shot well in air so it was a great team effort.”
Not only does Kozeniesky train full time at the Olympic and Paralympic Shooting Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but he also manages his own coaching business, Team Winning Solutions.
“I have to utilize a lot of time management, prioritization, and planning with the athletes to make sure they get everything they need,” said Kozeniesky about balancing both full time jobs. “[Going] into Nationals, I found creative ways to train that would also help my athletes improve. There is a lot of overlap between their shooting career development and mine.”
Kozeniesky is currently training for a Smallbore Rifle selection match and the 2022 World Championships that will be held in Egypt this fall. The two-time Olympian will be looking to make the World Championship team for both Air Rifle and Smallbore.
To support Kozeniesky and other USA Shooting athletes traveling to international competitions, go to this link. Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org, and the ISSF at issf-sports.org.
