U.S. SHOOTING ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR PARALYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024
COLO SPGS, CO (May 2, 2024) – Jazmin Almlie-Ryan, YanXiao Gong, Kevin Nguyen, John Wayne Joss, and Marco De La Rosa qualified for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 after the conclusion of the U.S. Paralympic Trials – Shooting Part Three.
The third and final trials were held at the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Judith Legerski Competition Center in Anniston, Alabama, April 21-28, 2024, and the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, April 24-26, 2024.
Jazmin Almlie-Ryan Photo by Brittany Nelson
Almlie-Ryan qualified in R5 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2. She will be competing in her third Paralympic Games. The Cypress, Texas, native discovered the sport of shooting while at an event where she was playing wheelchair basketball. She shot air rifle for the first time at the sporting event, won the competition, and the rest is history.
Almlie-Ryan has multiple international medals including a gold medal from the 2022 World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) Peru Grand Prix. Almlie-Ryan competed at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games and has earned three Paralympic quotas for the U.S. in her shooting career.
YanXiao Gong
Photo by Brittany Nelson
Gong qualified for Paris 2024 in P3 Mixed 25m Sport Pistol SH1. The Malibu, California, native is the 2023 Parapan American Games Champion and the 2023 WSPS World Champion in P3. His international success took off after he made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020.
Gong, a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center began shooting competitively during rehab after he was injured in 2017. He shot at the Bridge Jr. Team under coach In Kim in California before moving out to Colorado.
Nguyen qualified for Paris in R6 Mixed 50m Prone Rifle SH1. The Westminster, California, native, earned the U.S. a quota in the event at the 2024 WSPS New Delhi Cup. He also earned bronze in the event at the 2023 Parapan American Games. Nguyen saw success at the 2022 WSPS Peru Gran Prix as well where he took home two medals.
Kevin Nguyen
Photo by Brittany Nelson
Nguyen, a Tokyo 2020 Paralympian, began shooting competitively in 2014 when he joined the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). He was recommended to the unit after going through rehabilitation for an injury he sustained while deployed in Afghanistan. He trained alongside USAMU team members during his vetting process at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center before being picked up by the team. Nguyen, a Purple Heart recipient is currently a Staff Sergeant in the Army.
John Wayne Joss
Photo by Brittany Nelson
Joss also qualified for Paris 2024 in R6 Mixed 50m Prone Rifle SH1 alongside Nguyen. Joss is making his third Paralympic appearance, having competed in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Joss, a Corsicana, Texas, native, was a member of the 2023 Parapan American team and the 2023 WSPS World Championship team.
Joss began competitive shooting through the USAMU as well. After being injured during an Iraq deployment, Joss went through rehabilitation and was assigned to an infantry battalion as a mortar gunnery instructor. In 2012 the USAMU saw Joss’ shooting skills and recruited him to their program. He has been shooting competitively since. The Purple Heart recipient is currently a Segreant First Class in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program.
De La Rosa qualified for Paris in P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1. The Chicago, Illinois, native had a stellar performance at the 2023 Parapan American Games. He earned silver in P3, was crowned champion in P1, and earned the U.S. a Paralympic quota in P1. De La Rosa also saw success at the 2022 WSPS Peru Grand Prix where he earned two medals.
Marco De La Rosa
Photo by Brittany Nelson
De La Rosa, a Marine Corp veteran, was injured when he was attempting to stop a robbery outside of the base he was stationed at and was shot in the back. He medically retired from the corps and later became involved in Paralyzed Veterans of America chapters. About eight years ago the chapter in San Antonio had a shooting program he was interested in. De La Rosa started shooting and received mentorship from coaches across the country furthering his career. He made his Paralympic debut in Rio 2016.
All five athletes qualified for Paris 2024 based on the selection procedures from all three trials. Final results can be viewed here.
Photos from the event can be found here.
The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will take place in France Aug. 28- Sept. 8, 2024. Follow @USAShooting on social media to keep up with the team as they prepare for Paris 2024.