Kim Rhode’s quest to compete at a seventh successive Olympics has fallen short – despite her winning the second part of USA Shooting’s Olympic Trials Shotgun in Tucson.
Rhode, 44, the most successful female shooter in Olympic history with three individual golds, a silver and two bronzes since the 1996 Atlanta Games, finished ahead of 22-year-old Austen Smith.
Smith, winner of the first trials held last year, is one of two women named for the women’s skeet in Paris. She was the youngest participant in US Olympic shooting team at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The other place went to 28-year-old Dania Vizzi, who won mixed team gold at last year’s Pan American Games.
The men’s skeet places are taken by Vincent Hancock, who will be seeking a fourth individual Olympic title in the French capital, and Conner Prince.
“I knew that, because of the way the qualification system has worked out, it was a long shot for me to qualify for the Paris Olympics coming into this match,” Rhode told ISSF.
“I did win the match in Tucson but that wasn’t enough for me to qualify.
“So at the end of the day it is what it is, but I am definitely looking forward to LA 2028. I will still be in Paris and will be cheering Team USA on all the way.
“I think we have one of the strongest teams in depth and it is very exciting for all those involved.”
Rachel Tozier and Ryann Phillips won the two trap women’s places, with Derrick Mein, the 2022 world champion, and Will Hinton being named for trap men.
Hinton and Tozier are both Staff Sergeants in the US Army.
Fuente: http://www.issf-sports.org
