The Arizona Shooters Dominating the World Stage
When it comes to practical shooting, Team USA is a force to be reckoned with. Out of the 70 competitors representing the country, an impressive 14 hail from Arizona. These shooters are a skilled and precise bunch, known for their quick movements and high-performance rifles.
Justine Williams, a seasoned competitive shooter with a decade of experience, describes the sport as thrilling and challenging. “It’s really the camaraderie between everyone who shoots,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re competing against each other or you’re just shooting with each other… it’s really fun.”
In practical shooting, participants navigate through multiple targets on the course, using different calibers and firearms under strict time constraints. Williams, who recently clinched gold at the 2024 IPSC Rifle World Shoot in Finland, emphasizes the competitive nature of the sport. “Whoever does that the best, wins the match,” she explains.
Joining Williams in the victory is AJ Anthony, a shooter who joined the sport five years ago. Reflecting on Team USA’s success, Anthony notes, “It went spectacularly for the U.S. This was the third championship hosted in Finland, and we ended up taking first in most of the major categories.”
While practical shooting may not be an Olympic sport, it is an international competition that draws participants from around the world. For team captain Leighton Oosthuise, winning gold holds immense significance. “We represented well… this was a big team for us and they did awesome,” he proudly states.
Despite the challenges and the non-inclusion in the Olympics, Arizona shooters like Williams, Anthony, and Oosthuise remain dedicated to their craft, with hopes of one day seeing practical shooting on the Olympic stage.
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With a dedicated team of shooters representing Arizona on the international stage, the future of practical shooting looks bright. Go USA!
