Englishman Nathan Hales, 28, from Kent has claimed a remarkable gold medal in trap shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting a new Olympic record and making history.
Hales’ triumph marks Great Britain’s first Olympic shooting gold in 12 years, following Peter Wilson’s double trap victory at London 2012, and the first in this discipline since Bob Braithwaite in 1968.
Throughout the competition, Hales displayed remarkable composure, especially during the flawless qualification round in sweltering heat, as he expertly hit the 11cm-wide targets flying 20 meters above his head at 40mph. In the six-man final, he started with 15 perfect shots and finished with 18, missing only twice and staying four shots ahead of his closest rival, China’s Qi Ying. Guatemala’s Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas took bronze, securing his nation’s second-ever Olympic medal. Hales said:
“It was very intense and there were a lot of nervy moments, but you don’t get better than an Olympic gold and an Olympic record.
The Olympian continued:
“The final was great and I’m so happy to get an Olympic record as well as winning the Olympics.
“I just try and keep everything as we always do and treat it exactly the same way I treat finals in training. I just push through and keep focused on what I’m doing, not on what other athletes are doing.
“It was a great support. Had loads of my family here and it was great to have them all here.”
The Olympic shooting events are held in Chateauroux, over 200 miles south of Paris, but Hales had a big cheering party of supporters, including his wife, Charlotte Kerwood, a double Olympian and four-time Commonwealth Games champion.
Hales secured his spot for Paris thanks to a silver medal at the World Championships in Osijek two years ago. Since then, he has hit top form, breaking the trap world record in Lonato at last year’s ISSF World Cup and arriving in Paris ranked second in the world.
Although this Olympics is Hales’ Games debut, this sharpshooter is no newbie. He’s part of a shooting dynasty. Hales first picked up a gun at just five years old, following in his father’s footsteps, with both sides of the family deeply involved in the sport.
He’s also got a superstar partner, Charlotte Kerwood, 37, a four-time Commonwealth champion who repped Great Britain at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Together, they’re also raising the next generation of champs, with their two kids, Hudson and Hattie.
