'Any color will work, but ideally gold': U.S. Army marksman aims for medals at Paris Olympics

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2024 U.S. Olympian Will Hinton is based at Fort Moore, Ga.

Credit: William Hinton

GPB’s Pamela Kirkland spoke with Staff Sgt. William Hinton about preparing for competition.

Pamela Kirkland: Thank you so much for being here.

William Hinton: Thank you.

Pamela Kirkland: First, congratulations. How excited were you when you learned that you earned that spot?

William Hinton: I was very excited. At first, you, you know, the emotions really didn't set in, because I had just finished, you know, very rigorous competition to earn a spot on the team. But since then, it has set in more and more each day. I'm really looking forward to representing, you know, all of the United States, especially the [U.S.] Army. And it's definitely been a lifelong goal of mine. So it's big box checker, and I'm looking forward to going over there and bringing home a medal.

Pamela Kirkland: And Georgians will be keeping a close eye on you. I understand you're a Dacula native. How did you get started in competitive shooting? Were you doing this when you were younger?

William Hinton: So yeah, I started at a young age. I grew up in a family of outdoorsmen, and we always, you know, hunted: dove hunting, turkey, quail. And that led to shooting kind of recreationally. And then around probably sixth grade in middle school, I figured out that there were actually shooting organizations out there for youth shooting. And so myself, my sister and a bunch of family, friends and cousins, we actually started a youth shooting team. And I did that for a number of years and then eventually branched out on my own and pursued a game called Sporting Plays and shot in a association called the National Sporting Players Association. I found success at that, you know, nationally and internationally. And that kind of led to me being recruited by the Army, to switch disciplines to what I now shoot, which is Olympic trap or international trap.

Pamela Kirkland: Were you surprised that you were so good at it? Was it something that came naturally, or were you out there practicing all the time?

William Hinton: No, I was out there practicing all the time. You know, I do believe in innate ability, but I also have found the harder I work, the better I am, you know? Or what is that saying? You know, "the more I work, the luckier I am." I recall growing up, I never wanted to quit shooting. It's just something I always loved and I was very passionate about. So I was always out there pulling the trigger whenever I could. When I was a civilian, if I was not working or not in school, I was trying to shoot every opportunity I got. But it's definitely been a lot of work. It's put me where I am. A lot of support, but definitely a lot of heart.

Pamela Kirkland: And speaking of a lot of hard work, how are you balancing military service with Olympic-level training? I just imagine that must be so demanding.

William Hinton: Well, I had to figure out a long time ago there's no such thing as balance. I just, certain areas require a lot of me at times. But I would have to say, the biggest thing is just at different times, things require different amounts of me. At the end of the day, I have to know that, you know, maybe I'm lacking on this front, but I'm putting myself wholeheartedly into this.

Pamela Kirkland: How does it feel knowing that you're just weeks away and have you started packing yet?

William Hinton: I have not started packing. I have, a few trips in between here and there. So I'm excited. But to be honest, I'm very focused. You know, I haven't been overwhelmed by emotions because ultimately I made the Olympic team. I am blessed and so lucky to have done so, and I worked for it. But now I can really dial in and I anticipate to win a medal, any color will work, but ideally gold.

Pamela Kirkland: Well, we wish you the best of luck and we can't wait to have you back on to talk about those medals. Staff Sgt. William Hinton, thanks so much for joining me.

William Hinton: Thank you so much for allowing me to be here, and I'm looking forward to that conversation. Thank you.

Pamela Kirkland: And you can watch Staff Sgt. Hinton compete during the Paris Olympics on July 28. This is GPB.