COLO SPRGS, CO (Aug. 29, 2025) This past season has seen the U.S. Shotgun Team perform beyond what was expected which they did by presenting to the world a mix of well known Olympic stars and up and coming junior talents which are very much making names for themselves on the international stage.
Before the USA Shooting Team 2025 World Championships our team won 34 international medals which is a great achievement that speaks to not only talent and mental strength but also to the great depth and consistency which we bring to bear in very competitive events. Also reflected in this success are the results of intentional strategy changes we made over the last 18 months which took us to new levels of performance.
A year of great success and strategic growth USA Shooting Team 2025
Team USA’s 2025 success is built out of a very intentional high performance culture. For over a year and a half USA Shooting has been at work at perfecting our team selection processes, growing our coaching support networks, and putting forward large resources to our athletes.
We made a key strategic decision to put more of our resources into international competition which we have funded with the help of targeted donors. What we have seen from that is our young and up and coming talent getting great experience on the world stage which in turn is leading to medal wins. This strategic and resource heavy approach is what is at the base of our growth in the sport in the U.S. and in which we are putting us in a dominant position going forward.
Legendary Performers Leading the Charge
At the core of the US shotgun teams’ success are Olympic greats that still today inspire both their teammates and fans. In the men’s skeet domain Vincent Hancock is a legend he secured his 30th ISSF World Cup medal which was a gold at the July 8th World Cup in Lonato. Hancock’s career is a study in excellence 5 Olympic medals, 4 world titles and over 40 international podia which is a testimony to his consistent performance through the years.
His recent win in Lonato is not just about the medal it is a proof of his unyielding commitment and skill which are still very much present. Hancock’s presence is a plus for team morale but also he is a living example of what dedicated years of practice can achieve and turn into great history in the sport.
In the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games which will see her close out her great career at home. Team USA is made up of more than just champions we have also got mentors which they look to as they develop and which raise the bar for the whole team.
Breakthroughs by Emerging Stars
In 2025 we see the rise of new talents which are breaking in and making their own international names. Will Hinton had a very impressive break through in men’s trap which saw him win his first individual ISSF World Cup gold in Lima and follow that up with a bronze in Buenos Aires which secures his place as a top contender. Also we had the emergence of Christian Elliott which saw him get his first ISSF World Cup gold in Buenos Aires and do well to secure a silver in Lima. These results point to the teams’ growing depth and the in-arrival of great talent which is set to challenge for the best.
In the women’s skeet field Sam Simonton and Dania Vizzi have been at the top of their game which in turn has brought about many podia and multiple medals in major events. Vizzi a participant in the Paris 2024 games did in fact dominate in terms of consistent medal wins and also showed great fortitude by winning in Lonato for 3 years in a row.
Junior Athletes: The Up and Coming Champions
Beyond out veterans and new stars we see the story of the junior athletes which are breaking through at the continental and international levels. The 2025 Junior Shotgun Championship of the Americas (CAT Games) was a turning point for the team’s youth. That year Team USA won 10 medals and secured 8 quota spots for the Junior Pan American Games which is a very good indicator of the depth and promise within the next generation of American shooters. Also included in this are athletes which have been beneficiaries of donor supported travel, training and international competition opportunities which we have found to be very key in the growth and readiness of these athletes.
International Medals: A mark of excellence
In 2025 we see that the primary medal report which we have is of a wide range of success in many different sports. From the March Junior CAT Games to World Cups in Buenos Aires, Lima, Cyprus, and Lonato, US athletes did very well breaking into the top three. Medals in men’s and women’s skeet and trap as well as mixed teams are reported which is a sign of the teams’ overall power. For example:.
- Benjamin Keller took home gold in the Junior Men’s Skeet.
- Dania Vizzi and Kimberly Rhode dominated Women’s Skeet winning gold and silver.
- Will Hinton won gold in Men’s Trap and added to his streak of podia.
- Carey Garrison won medals in many events which included Women’s Trap and mixed teams.
- Sam Simonton was a regular medalist.
This broad success shows that Team USA isn’t dependent on a few stars but rather has a very competitive team which includes juniors and Olympic veterans.
The role of patnership and community support
None out of which would be the result without the support of sponsors and donors which believe in USA Shooting’s mission. Organizations like The NRA Foundation, Hillsdale College, The Hal Jean Glassen Foundation, Safari Club International, and MidwayUSA Foundation to name a few have played very key roles in making available travel, training and competition opportunities which in turn produce medals and world class performances.
This is a wide range of support which goes beyond finance; we have a partnership that instills pride, determination and excellence. The shooting sports community is a part of each gold medal, every playing of the national anthem, of each historic moment that we create on the international stage. USA Shooting calls out to others to join in this effort behind the American athletes who display dedication, skill and national pride, which in turn brings pride to the country with each and every competition.
None of this would be possible without strong community backing. Organizations like the Safari Club International, MidwayUSA Foundation, and Hal Jean Glassen Foundation have played vital roles in athlete funding, training opportunities, and international exposure. These partnerships fuel national pride and contribute to every medal and anthem played on the world stage.
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