The 2025 ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, Qatar, held from December 4-9, was nothing short of a showcase for the U.S. shotgun team, who not only participated but completely dominated the competition. Departing with six medals, including two thrilling golds, Team USA emerged as the headlines of the event: a celebration of excellence, determination, and skill that caught the attention of spectators worldwide.
The excitement was ignited by Christian Elliott, who delivered a men’s skeet performance for the books. Starting the finals with a shaky entry in eighth place, Elliott resembled a man who had been biding his time for this moment. With unyielding resolve, he hit every one of the 36 targets, securing a resounding victory over Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock and fellow American Dustan Taylor, completing a historic all-American podium. The trio’s performance was not just impressive; it showcased the power and depth of talent within the U.S. squad.
Vincent Hancock, who had a flawless qualification round with an impressive 125 in men’s skeet, maintained his momentum to capture silver—a testament to his wide experience, having achieved an astounding seventh silver in just eight ISSF World Cup Finals. Meanwhile, Dustan Taylor proved his mettle and composure by clinching bronze, scoring 31 targets in the final and marking his first medal at this elite level. The scene was less a surprise and more of a reaffirmation of the U.S. team’s season of unprecedented success.
Reflecting on what could arguably be the pinnacle of his shooting career, Elliott expressed a grounded appreciation for his remarkable performance and new finals format—a high-stakes challenge demanding nothing short of flawless consistency. “It’s a sprint,” he remarked in an ISSF interview. His ability to deliver under pressure showcased not only skill but the heart and determination that characterize elite athletes.
“No one wants to have the last bib but it’s always fun to be the underdog too,” women’s skeet silver medalist Samantha Simonton mentioned. “This has been a great year. I’ve learned a lot this year, just about myself even without the wins. I’ve learned a lot from winning.” (Photo by Andrea Caroppo/ISSF)
In the women’s skeet event, Samantha Simonton added to the U.S. medal tally with a silver against China’s Jiang Yiting, who executed a flawless performance in a tightly contested final, with a final score of 36-34. Simonton, who earned her place in the final with the last qualification bib, displayed remarkable composure, navigating nerves and the unforgiving pace of the competition. Despite a miss on her 30th target, her overall performance was a bright highlight for USA Shooting in what has been an eventful season.
In men’s trap, Team USA’s Will Hinton topped the leaderboard to win the gold, joined on the podium by teammate and bronze medalist Glenn Eller. (Photo by Andrea Caroppo/ISSF)
The men’s trap event brought even more excitement as Will Hinton, competing in his inaugural ISSF World Cup Final, displayed masterful poise, leading qualification and excelling under pressure. His performance felt like a roller coaster, each shot carrying significant weight, but Hinton navigated the tension expertly, ultimately defeating Guatemala’s Jean Pierre Brol to claim gold with a narrow 29-28 finish. His teammate Glenn Eller matched this energy, securing another bronze for Team USA, further solidifying their legacy at the event.
Hinton described the experience as a “do or die” moment, fully understanding the stakes of this new finals format, which offered little room for error or recovery from mistakes. His focused mindset and sharp shooting allowed him to leave Doha not just with a medal, but with a newfound status in the competitive shooting landscape.
Vincent Hancock and Sam Simonton didn’t just shine on the firing line—they walked away with silver medals and ISSF Athlete of the Year bragging rights. Not a bad day at the office. (Photo by Andrea Caroppo/ISSF)
As the event wrapped up, two U.S. athletes—Vincent Hancock and Samantha Simonton—were honored with the titles of ISSF Shotgun Athletes of the Year. This recognition served as an exclamation point to a week filled with stellar performances, underscoring the relentless commitment and talent that permeates the U.S. shotgun team.
The U.S. team not only performed remarkably in Doha but asserted their dominance with unwavering control over both the podium and the competitive atmosphere of the event. The resounding successes of 2025 suggest that the world will be striving to catch up to Team USA as they gear up for future challenges ahead.
For detailed results from the 2025 ISSF World Cup Final, check out the ISSF website. For more on USA Shooting, visit usashooting.org.