London 2012 The United States Army Olympians and Paralympian

Full Biography

Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Richmond, a shotgun shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, Ga., is a 2012 Olympic Qualifier in Men’s Double Trap. Richmond, 25, first shot a shotgun in his grandparent’s backyard and started shooting competitively at a local 4-H shooting club. He competed in American Trap shoots via the Scholastic Clay Target Program before transitioning to International shotgun disciplines in 2003 when he won his first of two consecutive Junior National Championships in Men’s Double Trap.

As he blossomed into a top-ranked U.S. double trap shooter, Richmond joined the Army Oct. 25, 2004, and attended Basic Training and Infantry Training at Fort Benning. Upon completion, he was assigned to the United States Army Marksmanship unit, the “Home of Champions.” The values and confidence instilled in Richmond at Fort Benning enabled him to become a contender on the world stage in Double Trap when he won the Men’s Junior World Championship in Lonato, Italy, in 2005. A new level of expectation fell on Richmond’s shoulders.

In 2007, Richmond had the best year of his career up to that point, winning gold medals at a World Cup, the Pan American Games, and the U.S. National Championship. He also secured a coveted quota slot for the U.S. to be used at the Beijing Olympic Games. Unfortunately, Richmond was unable to land the spot he won for the U.S., missing out at the Olympic Trials in 2008 to two USAMU teammates and settled for a spot as an alternate.

The disappointment of missing the Beijing Olympics propelled Richmond to new heights. He has been named the Shotgun Shooter of the year for three consecutive years by USA Shooting. He won gold medals at World Cups in 2009 and 2010. And the crowning achievement of his career happened at the Munich World Championships in 2010 when Richmond won the Gold medal in Double Trap, winning the biggest match in shooting history and securing yet again a quota slot for Team USA at the London Olympics. In 2011, Richmond medaled twice at World Cup events, crossing the point threshold established by USA Shooting and earning nomination to the 2012 Olympic Games, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Richmond has continued his success on the range in 2012, winning a bronze medal at the Tucson World Cup and a gold medal at the Lonato World Cup May 5.

Richmond deployed to Afghanistan in the fall of 2011 as part of a cross-functional team of USAMU Soldiers who train and assist Afghan National Army Soldiers and Coalition Forces Soldiers in marksmanship. During his eight-year military career, he has earned the Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, U.S. International Distinguished Badge, Grenade Marksmanship Badge, Accessions Support Brigade Soldier of the Year fiscal year 2005, Accessions Support Brigade NCO of the Quarter, fiscal year 2010.

He is very active in the development of the youth shooting sports as well as introducing youth to the outdoors and all that the outdoor lifestyle has to offer.

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