By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
COLO SPRGS, CO (July 19, 2023) –Dania Vizzi and Samantha Simonton earned gold and silver medals respectively in Women’s Skeet at the 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Lonato, Italy, Shotgun World Cup, July 8-17.
Vizzi earned her Lonato first place medal after beating Simonton in the gold medal match. Vizzi’s victory brings her 2023 World Cup medal count to three. She earned silver medals in Mixed Team Skeet and Women’s Skeet team at the ISSF Rabat Shotgun World Cup in January.
“It’s amazing just to be out there with the best in the world and on such a big field here in Italy,” said the Odessa, Florida, native after securing gold. “To come out on top is such a great experience and I am very blessed.”
Simonton’s Lonato silver medal was her second of the year. She earned silver in Women’s Skeet at the ISSF Doha World Cup in March.
“This is my second World Cup medal this year so that feels great,” said Simonton, a Gainesville, Georgia, native. “It was not quite the performance I was hoping for, but I am ready to go home and train some more to get ready for worlds.”
Vincent Hancock won a gold medal with teammate, and fellow Tokyo Olympian, Austen Smith in the Mixed Team Skeet event. This is Smith’s first year competing in the open age category at a World Cup.
“It feels good to shoot a great qualification score and make it to any final,” said Hancock, a three time Olympic gold medalist. “I’m thankful that my teammate and I were able to compete at a high level at this match, and I’m looking forward to replicating that outcome at the World Championships next month!”
Hancock’s international accomplishments are stacking up for 2023. He earned gold in Men’s Skeet Team and silver in Men’s Skeet at the ISSF Doha World Cup in March.
Hancock and teammate Dustan Taylor qualified for the Men’s Skeet finals where Hancock finished fifth and Taylor finished fourth.
Kimberly Rhode competed at the Lonato World Cup for ranking points and had a stellar performance. She shot the top score of 124 out of 125 targets total.
Ryann Phillips competed in Women’s Trap and finished fourth overall after qualifying for the finals.
Vizzi, Simonton, Hancock, and Smith all saw success a few months ago at the 2023 USA Shooting National Championships in May. Hancock and Smith were crowned Men’s and Women’s Skeet champions, respectively. Vizzi placed second overall in Women’s Skeet followed closely by Simonton who earned bronze. The competition also served as the Paris 2024 Olympic Trials Part 1 for shotgun.
The shotgun team is currently training to prepare for the 2023 ISSF World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, August 14- Sept. 1, their next stop on the Path to Paris.
Follow @USAShooting on social media to keep up with the latest results and news.
About USA Shooting
USA Shooting, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation was chartered by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the Olympic Shooting Sports in April 1995. The organization develops and implements programs to promote growth in the sport and serves as a sanctioning body for local and national competitions. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, USA Shooting has a full-time staff dedicated to our sport.