Skeet Shooter Moves U.S. to #1 in Medal Count

Dillon Cheverere12 years ago

American Vincent Hancock took gold earlier today in skeet shooting, moving the United States to number one in total medals with 18. Hancock honed his craft in the plains of Georgia enjoying one of our great southern pastimes, bird hunting. He’s also about as American and patriotic as one can get, not just representing the red, white, and blue in London, but he also serves our military as a U.S. Army sergeant. Early this morning, he was out there slaying clays in a near flawless performance.

The 23-year-old from Columbus, Georgia, added the gold medal to the one he won four years ago at Beijing, becoming the first Skeet shooter to win back-to-back titles.

Hancock also broke his own Olympic record, missing just two shots and firing a perfect 25 in the final to register 148.

Hancock finished two points ahead of Denmark’s Anders Golding, who took silver in the event, which sees competitors fire at clay targets from seven different positions on the range.

If it flies, it dies. Can you imagine taking Hancock on a casual dove hunt with some buds? The man missed only twice on 150 shots.

The Chinese still hold the top spot in gold medals after jumping out to a huge lead with a few un-American events. Look for the U.S. to close the gap with more favorable events to come.

• [via London2012]