I first heard about Vero Koo in 2014 when I attended the Bianchi Cup Steel Challenge pistol competition in Bowling Green, Missouri. On the event’s final day, there was a formal dinner for all the competitors, staff and volunteers. As I walked into the banquet room, one of the young competitors handed me (and all the other females in the room) a long stem rose and said, “This is from Vera Koo.” Even though Vera didn’t attend the event, she ensured all the ladies had a rose, which was a beautiful and touching gesture. I knew then that I had to meet this Vera Koo person.
First, I admired her from afar. I watched as she sometimes went off alone before she competed to stretch or just get her mind straight. She quietly and discreetly made her way into and out of each shooting event after thanking the volunteers. Then, she quietly walked up the hill and drove away in her car. She was intriguing and somewhat of a mystery.
Finally, I had the courage to introduce myself, tell her how excited I was to meet her and, of course, take a selfie. Just as I suspected, she was soft-spoken with a beautiful smile and lovely skin … my goodness, her skin is flawless! Ironically, soon after that initial meeting, we began working together through Women’s Outdoor News. Then, in 2107, she wrote her first book, The Most Unlikely Champion, and I learned so much more about the mysterious woman who’s a fantastic pistol shooter.
The Most Unlikely Champion
The Most Unlikely Champion is a memoir with many unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Whenever I read about one of her life-changing events, I thought to myself, “This is Vera Koo. It really happened to her. How did she get through this?”
Her book is incredibly raw yet matter-of-fact. She puts it all out there for the world to read, something most would never consider doing. The Vera I thought I knew was not only a world champion, but also a resilient, strong woman who survived many hardships. She deserves more respect than anyone I know.
Vera Koo’s book, “The Most Unlikely Champion,” is not just a story about competition shooting or the Second Amendment. It’s a narrative that resonates with anyone striving to succeed in a male-dominated industry, balancing motherhood and career, or seeking inspiration to persevere. I highly recommend it as a source of motivation and empowerment and a gift for anyone needing a little push to overcome life’s challenges.
Wisdom and Things
Over the years, Vera has shared numerous life lessons with the readers at Women’s Outdoor News and on her website, VeraKoo.com. Vera collected and shared many of her writings in her second book, “Wisdom and Things: Essays from An Unlikely Champion.” This book is a treasure trove of wisdom, covering a wide range of topics from personal growth to competitive shooting, all presented in Vera’s unique and engaging style.
What I love about Vera Koo’s second book, “Wisdom and Things: Essays from An Unlikely Champion,” is its aesthetic appeal. The book is a perfect size, 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches, and is printed on high-quality paper with full-color photos. It’s designed to lay open nicely, making it a pleasure to read whether you’re sitting in a chair or relaxing in bed. As an avid reader, I appreciate these thoughtful details in a book.
As if having already published two books isn’t enough, Vera recently released her book, The Most Unlikely Champion, in audiobook form. This is an excellent alternative for those who like to multi-task and listen to books while walking, exercising, driving, etc. Vera chose the perfect woman to read her story, her voice is absolutely enchanting and lovely to listen to. If you’re like me, you’ll want to put everything down, grab a cup of tea and sit somewhere relaxing once you start listening to Vera’s story.
Whether in print or audio, The Most Unlikely Champion is the perfect story to read when you are looking for inspiration, need a push to be your personal best, or want to learn about an amazing Chinese American woman who decided to step outside the box and make a name for herself in the competitive shooting world.
I’m incredibly grateful for Vera’s life lessons. She’s sent me a few over the years. Since our first meeting, I’ve learned more about Vera’s skincare regime, including her strict application of sunscreen and skin coverings. She’s absolutely gorgeous at the young age of almost 78. And here’s my tip: purchase broad spectrum sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide if you really want to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
Visit Vera Koo’s website where you will see that she is a good American.