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Athens, Greece (Sept. 21, 2004) -- First-time Paralympian Dan Jordan (Franktown, Colo.) broke a 20-year U.S. medal drought in Paralympic shooting action today, clinching a silver medal in the Men’s SH1 3-Position Rifle event. Jordan’s silver marks the first American Paralympic shooting medal since 1984.

Competing in the SH1 class (no shooting stand required), Jordan finished just behind the legendary Swede, Jonas Jacobsson. Jacobsson’s score totaled 1,261.1, a 3-P Finals World and Paralympic Record, whereas Jordan, who held the 3-P world record until Jacobsson bettered it today, shot 1,157 in the qualifying round and 96.5 in the finals for the combined 1,253.5 score.

“I am really happy with everything,” Jordan said after the event. “It was a tough day against really tough competition. I fought hard in the qualifying round and had to work for everything I got. I feel really good about the silver medal.”

Head coach Dan Durben (Spearfish, S.D.) praised Jordan’s efforts. “Dan has worked so hard and it was evident today. He battled out there all day long but that’s where his hard work comes in. He puts in the time and knows what it takes to be successful.”

Jordan, at 25-years-old, was the youngest athlete in the 3-P field. He took eighth place earlier in the week in 10m Air Rifle and will shoot for another medal on Thursday in the 50m Smallbore Prone event.

An interesting side note to the event is Jordan shot in line two during the finals, the same line that former University of Alaska-Fairbanks teammate and roommate, Matt Emmons shot in during the 3-P finals at the Olympic Games. Emmons had the gold medal locked up going into his final shot, but cross-fired, costing him the opportunity to win a medal of any color. Fortunately for Jordan, history was not repeated.

For more information on U.S. Paralympic Shooting or to arrange an interview, please contact Diana Kersbergen at (011 30) 693-678-6383. For all of the latest news and information on the U.S. Paralympic Team, log onto www.usocpressbox.org.

Men’s SH1 3-P Results: (Qualifying score, Finals score, Total score)
1. Jonas Jacobsson, Sweden (1,162*, 99.1, 1,261.1*)
2. Dan Jordan, USA (1,157, 96.5, 1,253.5)
3. Doron Shaziri, Isreal (1,146, 97.8, 1,243.8)
* World Record/Paralympic Record

Is Mr. Jordan the young fellow who had the rock climbing accident, and was already a shooter before?

And CONGRATULATIONS are, of course, in order! Another example of how our sport can be enjoyed by many different people.

Didn't mean to sound crass by not offering congrats, curiousity got ahead of me ...

Anonymous wrote:Is Mr. Jordan the young fellow who had the rock climbing accident, and was already a shooter before?

You are right. Dan was injured in a climbing accident about 5 years ago. He is one of the nicest and most remarkable people you could hope to meet. He has also trained very hard and smart at the OTC for these games.
My congratulations too (and good shooting tomorrow!!!)
p.s. He is using the same Karl Kenyon trigger I used to win a medal in Barcelona in 1992. :-)

Dan Jordan was In my 4-h shooting club in my younger years. He was always an inspiration to the younger shooters we had (including me). I't was terrible to hear about his accident in Alaska. But seeing this today makes me happy he's still in the sport and doing well at it. So thanks for everything Dan

Dan came to Atlanta last spring when he found out I was teaching a masters camp for some national team and other experienced pistol athletes. He said he wanted to hear what I was teaching... I think he just wanted to keep me honest! Ha! I put him to work... his coaching and inspiration were beyond compare. (Now, before you ask, yes, he shoots rifle... this was a pistol camp... but it was really about shooting well when it matters so his insight was invaluable.)

Dan's understanding of this sport is quite rare... very few "get it" to the degree that he does. It makes for very interesting conversations. Oh, and he is hilarious as well!

Somebody forgot to tell Dan he was injured a few years back. He gets around in the deep woods on wheels better than most folks do on their feet. And I don't mean on a trail or path. It's all they can do to keep up with him! His body may be in a wheelchair... but he isn't... he doesn't even think about it. In an email reply to me earlier this fall, he asked me to wait a few days before calling him... it seems he was "...walking out the door..." to go hunting! Yeah, that's what he said!

Great person, great athlete, great spirit!

"Feel Center!"

-JP