Malcolm Cooper

Malcolm Douglas Cooper, MBE, (20 December 1947 – 9 June 2001) was a British sport shooter and founder of Accuracy International. Competing in ISSF 50metre and 300metre rifle events, he dominated his events for several years, becoming the first shooter to win the Olympic 50metre 3-Position rifle event twice. He held or shared 5 World Records in 300metre rifle events. Sports shooting career Cooper learned to shoot at school in the UK and New Zealand. He also shot and practised at HMS Collingwood, a Naval Training Establishment at Fareham in Hampshire, alongside Andy (Dusty) Miller, the 1968 Far East Services Small-bore Individual Champion. He qualified to join the British Free Rifle Club in 1969 and was selected for the British team to the 1972 Summer Olympics where he placed 12th in the 300 metre 3- Position Rifle event and 18th in the 50 metre 3-Position Rifle. After disappointing results at the 1974 World Shooting Championships and 1976 Summer Olympics, he had taken the decision to retire, until an interaction with Lones Wigger during a clinic held by the United States Army Marksmanship Unit in England inspired him to continue. In 1977, Cooper won the European Championships in both 50metre and 300metre Three-Position events, with his 300metre Standing score equalling the World Record.