Walther has much to celebrate after athletes shooting its venerable KK500 smallbore rifle swept the podium in both the men’s and women’s 50m three-position smallbore rifle events at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Not only was the men’s event a resounding success, the women’s final competition concluded with a gold medal and an Olympic record.
The women’s 50m smallbore three-position final at the Châteauroux Shooting Center in Châteauroux, France, on Friday, August 2, was nothing short of thrilling, with Swiss competitor Chiara Leone leading with a narrow 0.7-point advantage over her American competitor, Sagen Maddalena. Displaying composure and skill, Leone captured the gold medal with a final shot of 10.8, also setting a new Olympic record with a total score of 464.4 points. The victory not only earned Leone a place at the top of the podium but also enshrined her name in the record books, due in part to the solid performance of her Walther KK500.
Next was the men’s 50m smallbore three-position final, where world record holder Liu Yukun of China secured the gold medal with 463.6 points, followed by Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish with 461.3 points for silver. In addition, Swapnil Kusale of India walked away from the Châteauroux Shooting Center with 451.4 points, good for the bronze medal.
All medalists in the men’s 50m smallbore three-position rifle final were shooting the Walther KK500, highlighting the rifle’s precision and engineering excellence.
The KK500 now holds not only five current world records, but also all men’s 50m smallbore three-position medals and the women’s 50m smallbore three-position gold medal, as well as the Olympic record in this discipline—widely recognized as one of the most technically demanding in the sport, requiring competitors to excel in shooting from three different positions—prone, kneeling and standing.
According to Walther, the company’s philosophy of TEQ—Trigger, Ergonomics and Quality—is reflected in every aspect of the KK500. “These values ensure that our athletes have the best tools available to achieve greatness. The results in Châteauroux are a testament not only to the dedication and hard work of the athletes but also to the meticulous craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that go into every Walther firearm.”
“We are incredibly proud of our athletes and their groundbreaking achievements,” Bernhard Knoebel, global CEO of Walther Arms, Inc., said. “Their success is a reflection of the unwavering commitment to excellence that Walther embodies. Congratulations to Chiara Leone, Liu Yukun, Serhiy Kulish and Swapnil Kusale for their outstanding performances. We are honored to be a part of their journey and look forward to their continued success in future competitions.”
Learn more at waltherarms.com.
