Nathan Hales Captures Gold in Men’s Trap at Olympics

Nathan Hales, a British shooter, has made history by winning the gold medal in the men’s trap event at the Olympics held in Chateauroux. In an impressive display, Hales hit 48 out of 50 targets, setting a new Olympic record that surpassed the previous mark of 43.

This marks a special achievement as Hales becomes the first British man to win gold in the men’s trap event since 1968. His stunning performance ensured that he stood out in his Olympic debut.

The silver medal went to Qi Ying from the People’s Republic of China, who scored 44 in a tight contest. Meanwhile, Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas from Guatemala completed the podium by taking home the bronze, making him only the second athlete from his country to earn an Olympic medal.

At 28 years old and hailing from Chatham, Kent, Hales aimed for nothing less than victory. He had previously secured a silver medal at the world championships in Osijek, Croatia, in 2022, but wasn’t viewed as one of the top medal contenders compared to his teammate, Matt Coward-Holley.

In the qualification rounds, Coward-Holley struggled, but Hales performed steadily throughout. After securing his spot in the final, he displayed remarkable composure, missing only one of his first 25 shots and finishing the initial phase tied with his Chinese rival, Qi.

As the final progressed, Hales gained a slight lead, ensuring he would walk away with at least a medal. With solid performance in the shoot-off, he widened the gap and ultimately won gold by a margin of four shots.

<p“I’m so happy to get an Olympic record as well as winning the Olympics,” Hales expressed after the event. He added that the experience was made even more special because many of his family members were present to support him.