SANTIAGO, Chile — On the final day of Team USA Shooting’s competition at the Parapan American Games on Tuesday, Kevin Nguyen finished strong with a bronze medal.

The day opened with the 50 meter Rifle Prone SH1 Qualification event. The flag markers blew slightly along with the breeze and the sun beamed directly onto the targets in the 50 meter range at Polígono de Tiro de Pudahuel. 

Kevin Nguyen and John Joss III, both active with the Army’s marksmanship unit, and Landon Ruggera, all took to focus when the announcer started the hour timer on the clock. All of the athlete’s had plenty of time to get their shots in, and the shots were rapid, and if you blinked twice you wouldn’t realize they even shot. 

Still, though, the Qualification had a tranquil feel, as music played in the background and spectators were spread out. They were spread out across the venue, occasionally glancing at the score as in the end this was just the warm up to the more intense elimination round.

The leaders of the event changed as it went on, but by the end it was evident who would finish where. Nguyen solidified second place and scored 615.8. Joss III and Ruggera finished third and fourth, respectively.

“The Qualification went really well today,” Nguyen said. “My coach and I spent a lot of time on the fifty meter range just really getting comfortable working in various different wind conditions.”

In the final, Nguyen was defending his Parapan American Games Title from Lima in 2019 where he set the record with a score of 244.2. The crowd investment in the finals exceeded the qualification, as all the shooters were closer to each other and the crowd was on the same side of the venue this time. Milagros Palomino was evidently going to be the first one out, but Ruggera’s struggles put him in position to finish seventh place. 

The 19 year-old, who has only officially been with the team for five months, could only be so accurate, and posted a score of 136.3, falling .07 shy of advancing to the next round. Still, though, Ruggera enjoyed the experience of being a part of Team USA

“It’s honestly a privilege,” Ruggera said. “Not only that but it’s just fun.”

After two more eliminations, Columbia’s Gabriel Cardona and Peru’s Jorge Arcela both were eliminated. Nguyen and Joss were in third and fourth place, and unless Colombia’s Maria Restepo or Brazil’s Carlos Garletti’s aim drastically faltered, the U.S. pair would be fighting for a bronze medal. 

Nguyen had a 1.3 point advantage heading into the seventh series, but it didn’t deter Joss from trying to overtake his teammate. Joss outshot Nguyen by 1.2, but it wasn’t enough and he fell .01 shy of forcing another series between the two. 

The crowd politely applauded as Joss’ elimination was announced, and now all he could do was watch and support his teammate as he looked to defend his title.

“I’ve been shooting with John since I started,” Nguyen said. “He is a great teammate. He is a great competitor. He is also a great coach. Anytime that I get to train with him is always a great opportunity because we’re always pushing each other to win. Some days he wins. Some days I win.”

With three left and everyone solidifying at least a bronze medal, the crowd began to clap as each shooter took aim to try and secure a higher spot in the podium. Nguyen, who was at an advantage against Joss, now couldn’t shake off fighting from behind against Garletti or Restrepo. Nguyen, who compared the bulls-eye target to the size of a pupil, couldn’t hit close enough to it on both his shots.

After the event, the three finalists all grouped together for a picture in a semi-informal medal ceremony and raised their rifles.

In the 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 event, USA’s Madison Champion shot her best, but finished in fifth place in both qualification and elimination. 

The day concluded with all of the athletes and coaches gathering for the official ceremony for both events. With Nguyen receiving his official medal and it being the final day of shooting, that marked the last time Team USA would stand on the podium at Polígono de Tiro de Pudahuel in the 2023 Parapan Games.

Nguyen on being active service and representing Team USA in the Parapan American Games:

“Anytime I compete not only is it a great honor to represent the United States Military but the biggest thing is we’re ambassadors for Team USA so it’s always great to come out, shoot, compete and come home with a medal for Team USA.”

For more photos of this event, visit here.