Sandra Fong - Elite Jewish Markswoman

Thanks to an anonymous reader who brings us today's Jewish Markswoman, Sandra Fong. Sandra is an Olympic caliber shooter. She is sponsored by ammunition manufacturer Eley, and is profiled on their web site with some of these highlights:

2010 World Championships 50m Rifle 3-Position Women Team World Champions and set a World Record

2010 World Championship 300m Rifle 3-Position Women Team Silver Medalists

2010 Championship of the Americas 50m Rifle 3-Position Women Silver Medalist

2010 Championship of the Americas 50m Prone Women Silver Medalist

2010 World Cup Belgrade Finalist (Finished 8th),

2010 & 2009 USA Junior National Champion

2009 & 2008 USA Junior Olympic National Champion

2008 USA Olympic Team Member (21st at the Games)

Has set 15 National Records

Some brief biographical information is given as well:

Sandra grew up in New York City where shooting is largely unknown. Her dad had done ROTC in high school and decided to compete again 25 years later, it was a sport he wanted to share with Sandra's sisters and herself, and began taking them to the range when Sandra was 12. It began as a hobby, but as Sandra and her sisters showed a talent for it, shooting soon became a family sport.

Sandra's father coached, and she was lucky enough to train alongside her sisters; Abigail Fong (USA National Development Team) and Danielle Fong (2008 USA Paralympian). Not many get the opportunity to work with world-class competitors as training partners so early on; and they really pushed each other to succeed.

Sandra qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in her Senior year of high school, and is currently studying Anthropology at Princeton University, and training for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Did you know?

• Sandra has an interest in writing and filmmaking

• She is an avid music lover who sings and plays the piano and trumpet. She is currently teaching herself guitar

• Sandra was accepted in to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine early

Sandra is also profiled on Princeton's web site, which tells us:

Fong is also an exceptional student. In her sophomore year, she was accepted to medical school for a unique Humanities in Medicine program at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. She says her academic interests straddle medicine, journalism, film and anthropology. One of her favorite courses has been a radio journalism class with visiting lecturer Dan Grech ’99, a Miami-based reporter for NPR’s “Marketplace.” At the end of the course, students were required to make a two-hour radio show integrating their reporting, production and pitching talent.

Sandra's Rabbi had this to say about her and her sisters:

“We are so excited” about Fong’s success, says Rabbi Jonathan Stein, spiritual leader of Shaaray Tefila. “The daughters are top-notch kids. These are kids who are post-bat mitzvah engaged” in synagogue life.

Mazal tov to Sandra, and I will profile her sisters soon! Thanks again to the anonymous reader tip!