Olympic Gold Medalist Says Hunting Started it All

by
posted on September 25, 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. **
ginny_thrasher_f.jpg

Ginny Thrasher, a 19-year-old shooter from Springfield, Va., won the first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games for Team USA. Thrasher triumphed over silver medalist Du Li of China by a full point in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event, and she said it all began with a deer hunt.

“I got my first deer and I liked the adrenaline of pulling the trigger,” she said.

From those humble beginnings, which all hunters can relate to, Thrasher went on to shoot for her high-school air-rifle team, which ultimately landed her a spot on the West Virginia University rifle team. As if taking the NCAA championships in 2016 as a freshman wasn’t enough, Thrasher earned herself a spot on the 2016 Olympic team and claimed gold in Rio.

Latest

W H2026 04 Hardware W3801 TAH 1672Finalversion3 Jb
W H2026 04 Hardware W3801 TAH 1672Finalversion3 Jb

Hardware Review: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

Check out Shooting Editor Christopher Olsen's review of the EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U.

New for 2026: CMC Triggers Remington 700 Adjustable Ultra Precision Trigger Group

CMC Triggers Corp has released its Remington 700 Adjustable Ultra Precision Trigger Group, available in both Flat and Curved trigger bow configurations.

Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide

Most folks have already gotten their Mom something by now. Whether it's the simple pleasure of making her a special dinner, a full-on family getaway for the weekend, or that latest book she's been craving, some sorts of people know how to make a mom's day complete. Then, of course, there's you—the sort of person who frantically clicks into a gift guide the week before Mother's Day. All jokes aside, here are five things Mom is sure to love.

North Fork Bullets: The Reintroduction of an Icon

Fans of hard-hitting hunting bullets rejoice! North Fork bullets is back in action and better than ever. Phil Massaro breaks down the latest from this storied company.

First Look: Ol' Man Outdoors Clamp Down Jaw and Stabilizer Truss Systems

Ol'Man Outdoors, has introduced two advanced technologies that enhance the safety and effectiveness of ladder stands. The Clamp Down Jaw System securely locks the ladder stand to a tree before a hunter ever leaves the ground, while the Stabilizer Truss System enhances ladder stability, provides more tree options and eliminates unwanted noise.

New World Screwworm Closing the Gap to the Border

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in April that the New World Screwworm (NWS) is closer to the Texas border than ever before in this latest outbreak. On April 20 Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warned, “The threat of the New World screwworm is creeping dangerously close to our border. A confirmed case in Nuevo León, just about 60 miles from the United States, in a young calf is a flashing red warning sign we will not ignore.”

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.