22-year-old pistol shooter Katelyn Abeln is a member of the U.S. JR national team. Who recently earned a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was raised by her parents Joy and Jerry Abeln in Douglasville alongside her brother-in-law, Avery King, and elder sister, Shelby Abeln King.
Katelyn Abeln’s Early Life with her family
Katelyn Abeln was born on April 9, 2001, in Douglasville, Georgia to Joy and Jerry Abeln. She grew up in Douglasville with her older sister, Shelby Abeln King, and brother-in-law, Avery King.
Abeln’s parents traveled to competitions when she first started in the sport, providing invaluable support. Now her father usually attends matches with her, while her mother watches online or texts with him during events.
In her limited free time outside of training and graduate school, Abeln enjoys reading, watching Netflix, and spending time with friends.
“She is so dedicated,”
Jerry Abeln said.
“Between graduate school and everything she juggles, it’s not easy. It’s been an amazing journey.”
Abeln surprises her mother and sister each Christmas as another token of her family’s closeness.
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“If you enjoy what you do, you’ll always be successful at it. When you really enjoy what you’re doing, success just comes naturally.”
JoyAbeln said to Katelyn Abeln
After graduating from South Paulding High School in 2019, Abeln joined Ohio State University. She recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health in 2023. Abeln continues to work diligently on a Master’s degree at Ohio State while also competing athletically for the school during her final year.
Katelyn Abeln Earns Spot on Team USA for 2024 Paris Olympics
Earlier this month, pistol shooter Katelyn Abeln secured a spot on Team USA for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Her performance at the USA Shooting Olympic Trials in Anniston, Alabama earned Abeln a quota place for the U.S. in women’s 10m air pistol shooting in Paris.
Before qualifying Katelyn Abeln suffers from cold.
“I was super sick that (last) day, so I really was just trying to survive and just get through the day, honestly, and get on a flight back to Ohio,”
Abeln recalled
At the Olympic selection event, becoming one of the first American shooters to qualify for the next Summer Games. She will make her Olympic debut in Paris, representing her country on the biggest global sports stage next summer.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,I am very grateful all of this hard work has finally paid off. This has been the goal for the past four years and ever since I started shooting.”
Abeln said after qualifying for her first Olympic Games.
Katelyn Abeln’s Career
Abeln’s passion for shooting began at just 12 years old in the back of a Georgia CrossFit gym. She also practiced in her basement at home as her father formed a local air pistol team.
“I tried it one night and fell in love with it, It’s so intricate, and you need to have such specific skills to do well in the sport. When I was just starting, I had no idea. There’s something about it that was super challenging, yet very satisfying.”
abeln said
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She spent just one month learning proper technique while shooting supported two-handed on a bench rest. Abeln then transitioned quickly to the international rules format – firing one-handed from a standing position without support. Abeln qualified for her first competition shortly after, entering Colorado’s Junior Olympic state air pistol qualifier meet.
Abeln continued to improve herself through her teenage years, undergraduate studies, and now in Ohio State graduate school. She began shooting with a Pardini air pistol and has stuck with that reliable equipment ever since.
Katelyn’s Professional Career so far and the Paris Olympics
Abeln enjoyed junior success initially, winning gold in the 25m sport pistol event at the 2018 USA Shooting National Pistol Championships. That same year, still a teenager, she also captured team gold at the Championship of the Americas in Mexico.
On the global stage, Abeln took silver in the 2018 ISSF World Shooting Championships in South Korea. She followed up with another silver finish in the Junior World Cup held in Germany that year.
In 2021, Abeln reached the peak of junior Olympic achievement, winning the women’s air pistol crown. At the same time competing for the Ohio State squad, she set a school record in sport pistol with a score of 576.
Abeln carried her dominance into 2022, gaining a victory in the 25m pistol, 25m standard pistol mixed team, and 25m sport pistol competitions at the USA Shooting National Championships. Her accuracy in shooting also earned Abeln three medals at the CAT Games that year.
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Abeln was selected to the 2023 U.S. team for the ISSF World Shooting Championships and gained experience against global elites heading toward 2024 Olympic qualifying events.
At the intense USA Shooting Olympic Trials last month, Abeln punched her ticket to Paris 2024 – persevering through illness to secure the women’s 10m air pistol spot for Team USA.
