Soldier Nominated For 2012 Olympic Shooting Team
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –-(Ammoland.com)- USA Shooting is proud to announce that Staff Sergeant Josh Richmond, from Hillsgrove, Pa. and a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, has qualified for a nomination to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee.
Upon approval, Richmond will be competing in his first-ever Olympic Games in London 2012 as a Men’s Double Trap athlete. At just 25 years old, Staff Sgt. Richmond has dominated the international scene since clinching the World Championship title in 2010. With consistent podium-topping performances since that time, he has surpassed the point threshold to earn a 2012 nomination.
Following the 2008 Olympic Games, USA Shooting adopted a point selection procedure for athletes to gain an Olympic nomination. Points are awarded based on competition performance at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cups and World Championships.
It should also be noted that Staff Sgt. Richmond is a full-time Solider and member of the USAMU stationed in Fort Benning, Ga. Moreover, prior to shooting for his Olympic dreams, this fall Staff Sgt. Richmond will deploy to serve in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Starting off his quest for London 2012, Staff Sgt. Richmond took charge at the first ISSF World Cup of the season in the sun and sand of Acapulco in 2010. He shot 144 out of 150 match targets and 48 targets in the final for a total of 192 targets and the gold medal. Shortly thereafter, he finished fourth at the ISSF World Cup in Dorset, England, with 143 match targets and 45 targets in the final.
In undoubtedly his best performance thus far, Staff Sgt. Richmond started off the ISSF World Shooting Championships in Munich, Germany, by dropping only four targets throughout the entire match to enter the final with 146 targets. With a singular focus, he surged ahead to equal the final world record score of a perfect 50 out of 50 targets to finish with 196 targets and the title of World Champion. As a result of these performances, he earned the title of USA Shooting’s 2010 Male Athlete of the Year.
In 2011, a bronze medal got the season off to a solid start as Staff Sgt. Richmond shot 143 match targets and 46 targets in the final for a total of 189 targets in Chile. He continued to find the podium in Sydney with 140 match targets and 46 targets in the final for a total of 186 targets and the silver medal, Australia. In his third ISSF World Cup appearance of the year, Staff Sgt. Richmond shot 145 match targets and 47 out of 50 targets in the final for a total of 192 targets and fourth place in Slovenia.
National Shotgun Coach Bret Erickson said, “Josh is the top ranked Men’s Double Trap shooter in the world because he consistently delivers medal-winning performances. His Olympic nomination comes from outstanding performances in 2010 and 2011 and I’m looking forward to having him represent our country in his first-ever Olympic Games. If he continues on the same path as the past two seasons, he will be a contender for the gold medal.”
“It was a great feeling to know that I have qualified to compete in the Olympic Games, which has been a long term goal of mine,” Richmond said. “After I made the threshold I immediately began thanking all of the coaches, family, friends and organizations that made this goal a reality; starting with United States Army Marksmanship Unit for not only molding me into a Soldier, but giving me the opportunity to compete and win at the highest level.
“I look forward to representing the country not only in my upcoming deployment but also in the Olympic Games where my goal is to bring home the gold for the United States,” said Richmond.
Richmond is the second Soldier from the USAMU to be nominated for selection to the Olympics. SFC Eric Uptagrafft was nominated in June to compete in Men’s Prone Rifle. USA Shooting would like to congratulate Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond on his 2012 Olympic nomination, wish him success at his first Olympic Games and thank him for proudly serving our country.
About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, [email protected] or www.USAMU.com.