Virginia “Ginny” Thrasher, 19, gave the U.S.an early lead in the medal count by winning the first gold medal of the games when she took the top spot in the 10-meter air rifle competition.
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Thrasher had a cumulative score of 208.0 to beat Du Li of China by a point.
“It’s just an intensive feeling of pride for my country and I’m so happy to be here”, said Thrasher after the victory ceremony.
The sport of shooting has become caught up in discussions over gun rights and the associated political debate.
Her current issue centers around new gun control measures in California that, among other things, added background checks for ammunition.
Rhode is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the National Rifle Association.
“I think I knew it was realistic for me to make finals, but I was not focused on that”.
Du had been expected to win the competition after dominating in qualifying but the 34-year-old met her match when the world ranked No. 23 rose to the occasion in dramatic circumstances.
Her interest in competitive shooting was piqued by a hunting trip as a youngster.
“I heard the cheers and the horns and it was very disturbing”, Yi said. “I went and got my first deer and I liked the adrenaline”.
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America’s first gold medal in the 2016 Olympics was won by a teenager for shooting. There may not have been any other Gold medals handed out yet, but in Men’s Beach Volleyball number 1 Brazil defeated the number 24 Canada taking a 1-0 record in the preliminary round.
