Series Introduction
At Precision Shot Pro, we’re passionate about the people behind the sport — the athletes, experiences, challenges and ambitions that shape their journeys. This is the first in an ongoing journal series from Precision Shot Pro Brand Ambassador Ellie Rudder, sharing her progression through ISSF pistol shooting, her experiences in training and competition, and her pursuit of representing Australia at the highest level.
From Patching Targets To The World Stage
Hello, my name is Ellie Rudder. I am an ISSF pistol athlete from NSW, Australia. What started as weekends spent helping my dad at the local pistol club has grown into a journey towards representing Australia on the world stage. My main events are Women's 25m Pistol and 10m Air Pistol.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Before I started competing, I spent my weekends at Tuggerah Lakes Memorial Pistol Club with my dad. I helped out during club matches by patching and changing targets, scoring, and cleaning up brass once the matches were complete. From the day I turned 12, I knew I wanted to give the sport a try. At the time, I had no idea it would become the start of a much bigger journey.
MY FIRST COMPETITION
In 2017, I competed in my first competition at Cessnock Pistol Club, where I placed first in my grade for Junior Women's Air Pistol. Later that year, I competed for the winning NSW team at the Junior Tri-State Competition, as well as the ISSF Junior Nationals in Brisbane, where I placed third in Junior Women's 25m Pistol and fourth in the Junior Women's Air Pistol Final.
Seeing What Was Possible
Those early competitions gave me a real insight into how far you can progress in this sport and introduced me to the incredible community that surrounds it. They inspired me to continue pushing myself and striving for higher levels of competition.
STAYING FOCUSED THROUGH DISRUPTION
Over the next few years, I competed at higher-level events across Australia, including the 2018 and 2019 ISSF National Championships and multiple Shooting Australia Endorsed Events. Unfortunately, just as I was becoming more serious about the sport, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted competitions and training opportunities.
Rather than letting that deter me, I stayed focused on my development. During this period, I was invited to join the Pistol Australia ISSF Development Squad, later earned selection for my first NSW State Team, and in 2022 I was honoured to be invited to join the Shooting Australia National Squad.
Looking back
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities this sport has given me. Every competition, training camp, and challenge has helped shape me as both an athlete and a person, and each experience has fuelled my determination to become one of Australia's best pistol shooters.
“Every competition, training camp, and challenge has helped shape me as both an athlete and a person.”
MILESTONES ALONG THE WAY
Over the past two years, I've been fortunate to achieve some exciting milestones, including:
- 3rd in the Paris 2024 Olympic Trials for Women's 25m Pistol
- 2024 Shooting Australia Junior Pistol Athlete of the Year
- Junior and Senior World Cup debuts
- Junior and Senior World Championships debuts
- National Champion – Youth 25m Pistol
- National Silver Medallist – Women's 25m Pistol
- National Silver Medallist – Women's Air Pistol
- Multiple State Championship titles
- Multiple gold medals at Shooting Australia Endorsed Events
The Road Ahead
Today, I'm continuing to work towards progressing my shooting for the 2027 season, to compete for quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Beyond that, I'm also working towards selection for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about my journey of how this sport became who I am. I look forward to sharing more about my training, competitions, and life as an ISSF pistol athlete.
Ellie Rudder is an ISSF pistol athlete from NSW, Australia, competing in Women’s 25m Pistol and 10m Air Pistol.
A member of the Shooting Australia National Squad and a Precision Shot Pro Brand Ambassador, Ellie has represented Australia at Junior and Senior World Cups and World Championships. Her achievements include the 2024 Shooting Australia Junior Athlete of the Year award, a Youth 25m Pistol National Championship and national silver medals in both Women’s 25m Pistol and Women’s Air Pistol.
Ellie is now building towards the 2027 international season and the opportunity to compete for quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with Brisbane 2032 also firmly in her sights.
INSIDE TRAINING
Stay tuned as Ellie takes us behind the scenes throughout 2026, sharing what training looks like at her level and the progress, challenges and lessons that shape her journey as an Australian pistol athlete.