Matt Emmons Earns USA Shooting Top Honors for 2016

by
posted on November 18, 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. **
matt-emmons.jpg
Recognition as USA Shooting Athletes of the Year this year went to a fabled marksman, and perhaps his heir apparent. Rifle sharpshooters Matt Emmons and Ginny Thrasher have earned the distinctive nod, his for season-long accuracy, and hers for a year unlike any other.

Emmons, one of the greatest marksmen of his generation, missed out on a fourth Olympic medal in Rio this year. Despite the set back, there was several great performances put forth by the Browns Mills, NJ, native in 2016. In fact, Emmons had the greatest pre-Olympic run out of the three previous Olympic Games he competed in.

Rounding out his year in Three-Position Rifle, Emmons had top podium finishes at World Cup Bangkok and World Cup Munich, including a Finals World Record in Germany. He won another silver medal at World Cup Rio and a prone bronze there as well. Additionally, Emmons came back from disappointment in Rio to land not one, but two World Cup Finals bronze medals in Prone and Three-Position Rifle.

Latest

Peiser Munich ISSF 2
Peiser Munich ISSF 2

Peiser Reaches First Senior World Cup Final in Munich

Braden Peiser qualified for his first senior World Cup final and finished sixth in Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Position at the 2026 ISSF World Cup Munich.

The Mystery of the Palma Trophy

From the archives: The original Palma Trophy vanished from a Washington, D.C., corridor after 1930. NRA’s Ed Andrus traced the lost masterpiece through decades of correspondence.

Harmon and Fitzpatrick Win Team Division at 2026 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge

Kahl Harmon and Mitch Fitzpatrick win Team division at 2026 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, outscoring more than 40 teams in Glenrock, Wyoming.

Winchester’s New Single Action Western Revolver Brings Old-West Styling to a CO2 Air Gun

The new Single Action Western Revolver from Winchester Air Rifles is a CO2-powered .177-cal. air gun that shoots BBs or pellets up to 450 fps.

New International Match to Debut at 2026 NRA National Smallbore Championship

A new Hands Across The Sea three-position postal match between American and Australian shooters will debut at the 2026 NRA Smallbore Nationals.

SK Guns Marks America’s 250th With Limited-Run 1911 Commander

SK Guns releases limited-edition 1911 Commander .45 ACP marking America’s 250th anniversary, capped at 250 individually numbered units.

Interests



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