Focused and Fierce: Austen Jewell Smith’s Triumph in Paris

Austen Jewell Smith is an American sports shooter who won a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup 2021 Shotgun in Lonato, Italy. As the youngest member of the US Olympic shooting team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, she demonstrated remarkable talent and maturity. On August 4, 2024, she won the bronze medal in the women's skeet event at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Francisca Crovetto Chadid won the gold, narrowly beating the British Amber Rutter in a tiebreaker at the Chateauroux Shooting Center. In the final, Smith hit 45 of 50 targets, securing her first Olympic medal for Team USA.  

Austen’s career has been marked by rapid progress, from her early days training in Texas to competing on the world stage. Her story is one of resilience, overcoming challenges, and continually striving for excellence. The colors in this image not only highlight her calm composure but also the vibrant energy she brings to her sport, reflecting the blend of serenity and strength required to succeed in shooting sports at the highest level.  

In creating this piece, I sought to convey the intensity of Austen's focus as she aimed for her target, along with the pride she felt in representing her country. The action shots emphasize her skill and precision, while the image of her holding the medal captures the emotional reward of her hard work. This artwork celebrates not just a moment of victory but a narrative of perseverance, national pride, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.