Kim Rhode

Kimberly Susan Rhode, born on July 16, 1979, is an American double trap and skeet shooter. She grew up in California and has become one of the most successful shooters in Olympic history. Kim has won six Olympic medals, including three gold medals, making her the most successful female shooter at the Olympics.

She achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the only athlete to win three Olympic gold medals in double trap and the only woman to win two Olympic gold medals in that event. In the 2012 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in skeet shooting, matching the world record by breaking 99 out of 100 clay targets.

Most recently, at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Kim won a bronze medal, an achievement that made her the first Olympian to win a medal on five different continents. She also became the first Summer Olympian to win an individual medal at six consecutive Summer Games and the first woman to win medals in six straight Olympics. Her accomplishments have inspired many young athletes around the world.

Early life

Kimberly Rhode was born in Whittier, California in 1979. She started sport hunting when she was very young, even going on African safaris by the time she was 12 years old. She also began competing in skeet shooting when she was just 10 years old.

International competition

Kim Rhode began her shooting career at just 13 years old, winning her first world championship in double trap. When double trap was no longer part of the Olympics, she switched to skeet shooting. She has earned many medals in international competitions, including 19 gold medals in ISSF World Cup events.

Rhode has competed in many Olympic Games, winning medals each time. She was the youngest woman to ever win a gold medal in Olympic shooting at the 1996 Summer Olympics. She continued to win medals in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016, becoming one of the most successful Olympians ever.

TV Host

Kim Rhode helps host a TV show called Step Outside on the Outdoor Channel. She went to school to study animals at Cal Poly Pomona.

Stolen competition shotgun

In September 2008, Kim Rhode's special shotgun was taken from her truck. She had used this gun for eighteen years in competitions. The gun was found in January 2009 during a search at someone else's home, and the person was charged with having stolen items. While she waited for her gun back, fans helped buy her a new one that cost $13,000. She liked using the new gun so much that she decided to stop using her old one, called "Old Faithful," after the Olympics.

Personal life

Kim Rhode spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention and introduced other Olympians. She married Mike Harryman in 2009, and they had a son in 2013.

Rhode is part of USA Shooting’s National Team and an honorary lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and Safari Club International. In July 2025, a court ruled that a California law requiring background checks for buying ammunition was not allowed.

Awards

Kim Rhode received the Best Female Athlete award at the Pan American Games in 2015, as given by the ANOC Gala Awards.

Career results

Olympic results
Event	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016
Double trap	Gold 108+33	Bronze 103+36	Gold 110+36	Not held
Skeet	Not held	7th 69	5th 68+23	Silver 70+23	Gold 74+25	Bronze 72+14+15(+3)
Trap	Not held	—	—	—	9th 68	—