Kim Rhode: ‘I Want To Shoot Trap And Mixed Team Events At The Games’

by
posted on July 23, 2018
kimrhode-az_issf_shooting.jpg

Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode won the Skeet Women’s Final at the ISSF World Cup in Tucson, AZ. At the match Rhode, a member of the National Rifle Association of America Board of Directors, won her third ISSF gold medal of the season, following her victories in Guadalajara, Mexico, and in Changwon, South Korea.

Kim Rhode Wins Gold In Arizona at ISSF World Cup
(l. to r.) Silver medal winner Caitlin Connor, gold medalist Kim Rhode and bronze medalist Lucie Anastassiou of France


Rhode was competing with her USA Shooting teammate Caitlin Connor, and they ended up battling right up to the last target for the coveted top spot. The two U.S. finalists tied after the final shot with a score of 55 hits out of 60 targets. First place and the gold was decided through a shoot-off, where Rhode nailed four targets, leaving Connor in second place with three hits.

Caitlin Connor | ISSF World Cup in Tucson, Arizona
Caitlin Connor


In a video interview with the ISSF after the Final, Rhode said:

“To be out there with my teammate is just the best feeling ever. When you’re competing head and head, back and forth like that, it’s anyone’s game. Gold, silver… it doesn’t really matter. I couldn’t be happier for both me and my teammate.”

Her previous outings that gave her valuable experience in high-profile matches certainly helped her secure this latest gold medal win.

“Keeping cool comes from the experience, having been out there so many times,” she said, commenting on the difficult conditions she had to face during the match, with the wind peaking, the light conditions changing, and a faulty target machines that caused a couple of stops.

Having her family along for the ride gave Rhode additional reason to shoot for the gold.

“My family is here with me. Having them on the stands is incredible, especially my five-year old son Carter who was cheering me on during the whole match,” said Rhode. “It made a very nice home feeling, and that motivated me through the match.”

Rhode subsequently announced that she is training to shoot three different events at the next Olympic Games.

“I am actually training [for] Trap, the Trap Mixed Team, and Skeet events. So you may see me in some of the future world cups shooting the other events.”

There are no other international shooters that currently compete in all three events. Rhode has already proven her skills in multiple events, winning three Olympic medals in Double Trap (gold in 1996 and 2004, bronze in 2000) and three medals in Skeet (gold in 2012, silver in 2008 and bronze in 2016). In 2000 and 2004 she competed in both events, reaching the Skeet Final in Athens. And at the London 2012 Games, she shot the Women’s Trap event, closing the match in ninth place.

Read our interview with Kim Rhode after the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Photos courtesy of ISSF/Nicolo Zangirolami

Latest

2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1
2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

XS Sights Expands DXT2 Pro Series, R3D 2.0 Lineup For SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory And FN Pistols

XS Sights adds models to the DXT2 Pro Series and R3D 2.0 lineups that will fit SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and FN pistols.

Modern Technology Implemented To Surmount Logistical Hurdles: 1958 National Matches

The more than 4,000 shooters at the 1958 NRA National Matches were greeted by advanced technology used to speed up administrative tasks during the most populous period in National Match history.

Looking Back At The 2009 NRA National High Power Championship

With a single X-shot determining the winner of a 300-yard shoot-off and a surprise at the awards ceremony, the 2009 NRA High Power Rifle matches held everyone’s attention right to the end.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.