FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, June 23, 2009) -- Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit prevailed at the 2009 San Marino World Cup competition today, earning the gold medal in the Trap event.
Hadden, a shotgun team member, was tied after the final round with the Czech Republic's David Kostelecky, forcing a sudden-death shoot-off. Hadden came up victorious after the third round, hitting his target while his opponent missed his. It is Hadden's second gold medal winning performance in two World Cup events this year.
"I was confident," Hadden said. "I was actually feeling better in the shoot-off than in the fourth-round of the match. I was able to keep it composed."
Besides winning the gold medal, Hadden also earned himself the coveted U.S. Distinguished International Shooter Badge. The badge, along with the Distinguished Rifleman and Distinguished Pistol Shot badge, is the United States' highest award for marksmanship excellence. It is one of the most highly coveted shooting awards in the U.S. today.
Hadden said he looks forward to celebrating with his family and teammates when he gets back to U.S. soil.
(Michael Molinaro serves as public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.)
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