Rio Olympics Today: The First Gold Medal Goes to ..American Shooter Virginia Thrasher

Source: NY Times

We already have a gold medalist, and it’s a 19-year-old West Virginia University sophomore, Virginia Thrasher.

With two shots to go in the women’s air rifle event, Thrasher, who is known as Ginny, led by 0.7 points. She coolly squeezed off shots of 10.5 and 10.4 to take gold. Two Chinese shooters, Du Li and favored Yi Siling won silver and bronze. Another American, Sarah Scherer was eighth.

Thrasher has only been shooting for five years, after she asked her father to take her deer hunting. She was N.C.A.A. champion as a freshman and surprisingly qualified for the U.S. team at the Olympic Trials. “For me, it has been a whirlwind of a summer,” she said. She will also compete in the 50-meter rifle, three positions, next Saturday, then head back to W.V.U.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/06/sports/olympics/rio-games-schedule.html?_r=0