By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
COLO SPRGS, CO (May 24, 2025) – Braden Peiser, of San Angelo, Texas, earned a silver medal in Junior Men’s 10m Air Rifle after an exciting final May 24 at the 2025 International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Junior Suhl World Cup.
“It feels good. This is the first Junior World Cup I have been able to attend. It has been great,” said Peiser. “I am glad I have been able to take advantage of the opportunities that I was given.”
Peiser delivered a standout performance in qualification, earning his spot in the final with a score of 632. He continued to excel in the final, where he secured the silver medal with an impressive final score of 250. Peiser edged out India’s Naraen Pranav Vanitha Suresh, who ultimately took bronze. Peiser’s teammate Griffin Lake, who earned a bronze medal at the World Cup earlier this week, also qualified for the final, where he finished fifth. View official results here.
“The competitiveness of the finals is what I love,” said Peiser, a rifle athlete at the University of Kentucky. Having that yo-yoing or chasing, I enjoy that a lot. I don’t know what (the competitor) is going to shoot, and all I can control is what I am doing and hope that it’s the best or good enough. It was fun and very unpredictable on which way it was going to go.”
The energy in the finals hall brought a lively dynamic to the match, with an electric crowd cheering throughout the competition.
“It was probably the loudest final I have ever shot in,” said Peiser. “Once I became comfortable with it and accepted that this is how it’s going to be, it wasn’t too much of an issue. It was certainly a fun environment.”
Peiser’s silver marks his first Junior World Cup medal and his seventh international medal overall. The University of Kentucky rifle athlete was crowned Junior Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions champion at the 2024 ISSF Junior World Championships last fall in Lima, earning his first individual international gold.
Peiser’s most recently qualified for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games U.S. air rifle team and will be headed to Asunción, Paraguay, this August. The competition take place every four years and features athletes from North, South, and Central American countries.
The U.S. rifle and pistol junior athletes continue their competition in Suhl this week at the Junior World Cup. View the schedule here.
The U.S. has earned two medals at the Junior World Cup as of May 24. See below:
- Griffin Lake: Bronze, Junior Men’s 50m Prone Rifle
- Braden Peiser: Silver, Junior Men’s 10m Air Rifle
USA Shooting is proud to be supported by a dedicated group of sponsors and partners. Special thanks to The NRA Foundation, Hillsdale College, The International Order of T. Roosevelt, The Hal & Jean Glassen Foundation, Safari Club International, MidwayUSA Foundation, and ELEY.