Sagen Maddalena, a Groveland, California native, earned an impressive fourth place in Women’s 10m Air Rifle after an intense final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Center.
Maddalena, a returning Tokyo 2020 Olympian, earned herself a spot in the final when she finished seventh in the qualification round by shooting a score of 631.4. View official scores of the qualification round here.
Maddalena, a three-time 2023 Pan American Games medalist only shot Women’s 50m Smallbore at the Tokyo 2020 Games, making today’s final appearance her very first air rifle Olympic final.
“I feel excited, I feel like I could throw up right now,” Maddalena said about her feelings just after qualifying for the final. “I am excited for the opportunity to be a sportsman on the biggest stage there is in the shooting events.”
Maddalena kicked off the final with two strong series of five shots where she shot all 10s. Her combined 10 shot score was a 104.3 before the elimination single shots. The crowd was electric at the Chateauroux shooting center as Maddalena continued to shoot 10s as the other competitors were being eliminated.
“I am a little bit speechless,” Randy Maddalena said about watching Sagen’s final in person. “It is a huge accomplishment. It is just nuts. It drains you because this competition is such a high level. I am super proud. There’s nothing else to say. I am super proud for her, of what she has accomplished, and what she will continue to accomplish.”
Maddalena, a Sgt. in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), made her way up to fourth place during the single shot elimination rounds. Maddalena earned fourth by out shooting Oceanne Muller of France who finished fifth.
“It was incredible to watch,” said Lt. Col. Casey Mills, USAMU Commander. “I was nervous but very proud of her. Most importantly, I got to see the work she has put in everyday pay off and validated by making the final. It was a very proud moment for me as the commander.”
View official scores of the final here.
Maddalena, a 2023 World Championship bronze medal in Women’s 50m Smallbore Rifle, qualified for both air and smallbore rifle. She will begin competing in Women’s 50m Smallbore Rifle starting August 1.
View the full schedule of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games here.
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