 trap competition—first glass balls containing feathers, then clay targets. Among the greatest of the 19th century trapshooters were Adam Bogardus, Ira Paine, and Annie Oakley. Once at an exhibition match Bogardus shot 5,681 glass balls before he missed. Additionally, Oakley once shot an impressive 4,772 of 5,000 glass balls released from 15-yard traps.
5) Skeet shooting originated in the early 1900s. The sport is meant to simulate upland game shooting. At first, competitors fired “around the clock” using a complete circle of shooting stations. This format was later modified to the half-circle still used today. Clay birds are thrown from high and low houses located on either side of the field.
4) Many national shooting federations were established during the 19th century. The National Rifle Association of America was founded in 1871 by Colonel William Church and Captain George Wingate of the New York National Guard. The U.S. Revolver Association, founded in 1900, actually selected, trained, and financed Olympic pistol teams through the 1936 Games. Subsequently, the NRA assumed leadership and developmental responsibilities for pistol, rifle and, beginning in 1960, shotgun shooting. In 1994, USA Shooting became the U.S. national governing body for Olympic competition.
Pierre de Coubertin is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games. He ensured shooting was included on the first Olympic program.
3) In 1896, French pistol champion Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the first modern Olympic Games. The first games had nine sports including shooting. Included on the program were four pistol and two high power rifle events. Since then, shooting events have been included every year at the Olympics except for the 1904 and 1928 Games. Individual and team events were also included until they were eliminated in 1948.
2) U. S. shooters were among the world’s best rifle shooters in the 20th century. In the 1920s, Morris Fisher won two Olympic gold medals and Walter Stokes won seven world championships. After 1960, Gary Anderson won two Olympic gold medals and seven world championships. Lones Wigger won two Olympic gold medals and set 12 individual world records. Other 20th century championship shooters include Lanny Bassham, John Foster, Margaret Murdock, John Writer, Pat Spurgin, Wanda Jewell, Bob Foth, Launi Meili, and Nancy Johnson.
Kim Rhode shooting her Beretta DT11 shotgun.
1) The U.S. continues to excel in International and Olympic shooting in the 21st century. In 2004, Matt Emmons won the gold medal in 50 meter rifle prone. Shotgunner Kim Rhode won her first gold medal in double trap 1996, and now has a total of six Olympic medals. At the 2016 Rio Games, Rhode won the bronze in skeet. In 2012, Jamie Lynn Gray (now Corkish) won the gold medal in 3-position rifle. At the same London games, Vincent Hancock picked up a gold medal of his own in the skeet competition. Most recently, collegiate rifle shooter Ginny Thrasher had a memorable win at the 2016 Rio Games, with a gold medal winning performance in the 10 meter air rifle event.
Find out more about the history of the shooting sports: