From the thunder of the trap fields in Lima to emotional podium moments in Lonato, Team USA's shotgun athletes have delivered an unforgettable 2025 season. With 34 international medals secured before the World Championships even begin, U.S. athletes are not only winning—they’re redefining excellence in international shotgun shooting.
The season’s defining moment came in Lonato, Italy, where the U.S. flag soared over the podium twice as both the Men’s and Women’s Skeet teams claimed gold. For a program focused on long-term development and high-performance results, it was a powerful statement of what’s possible when investment meets talent.
This success is no accident. It reflects strategic changes made in the last 18 months, including expanded coaching, refined team selection processes and increased athlete support. Crucially, donor contributions have enabled more athletes to gain international experience, directly converting into podium finishes.
Veteran Dominance, Rising Talent
Vincent Hancock, a five-time Olympic medalist and four-time World Champion, marked another career milestone in Lonato by winning his 30th ISSF World Cup medal.
“It’s fantastic,” Hancock said. “If you win the World Cup or World Championships in Lonato, it means you’ve done something. I don’t take this lightly at all and this means a lot to me.”
Meanwhile, Will Hinton turned heads with his first individual ISSF World Cup gold in Men’s Trap in Lima, following a bronze in Buenos Aires. Christian Elliott mirrored this breakout trajectory with gold in Argentina and silver in Lima.
On the women’s side, Kimberly Rhode, Sam Simonton and Dania Vizzi formed a powerhouse trio. They swept the podium in Lima and continued their reign in Lonato, where Simonton and Vizzi again took gold and silver. Simonton has now medaled in three of four World Cups this year, while Vizzi extended her medal streak in Lonato to three consecutive years.
Rhode, a six-time Olympic medalist, remains a force, claiming silver in Buenos Aires as she looks to compete in front of a home crowd at the LA28 Olympics.
The Next Generation Steps Up
At the 2025 Junior Shotgun Championship of the Americas, Team USA earned 10 medals and eight quota slots for the Junior Pan American Games. That success continued in August at the Junior Pan Am Games, where junior athletes claimed seven more medals, including gold in Women’s Trap (Ava Downs) and Mixed Trap Team (Carey Garrison and Tony Meola).
These achievements validate the strength of the U.S. Olympic development pipeline and reflect strategic donor support that makes international competition possible for young athletes.
Eyes on the Prize
Nine U.S. athletes have already qualified for the ISSF World Cup Final, and the entire team is setting its sights on the 2025 World Championships in October.
“From our Olympic veterans to our junior athletes, the talent, depth and consistency we’re seeing across the board is inspiring,” USA Shooting CEO Kelly Reisdorf said. “This momentum is exactly what we need as we set our sights on success at the LA28 Olympic Games.”
With a full roster of podium contenders and rising momentum, Team USA is at the forefront of international shotgun sports.
Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org.
