Express Medals Various Sport Styles of 7 Inch Sun Ray Style
✅ PROS
- Substantial 7-inch diameter with a dense zinc alloy core that feels genuinely premium in hand
- Sharp, multi-layered engraving on the sun ray pattern catches light and gives a trophy-grade look
- Versatile sport icon options covered — team orders can mix styles without overhauling the whole design
❌ CONS
- Ribbon quality is basic; the 3-inch neck strap feels thin compared to the medal's weight and may fray with heavy use
- No customization option — you're locked to the pre-printed sport icons and text formats
The Verdict
Some awards are participation trophies you’ll find in a drawer a year later. The Express Medals 7 Inch Sun Ray isn’t one of them.
This medal has serious physical presence. At a full seven inches across, it’s roughly the size of a dinner plate — larger than most awards in this price tier. But size alone doesn’t make a medal worth buying. What sets this one apart is the construction quality underneath the shiny surface.
What You Actually Get
Each medal ships with a 3-inch ribbon and is available in gold, silver, or bronze finishes. The zinc alloy core gives it a satisfying heft — you’ll notice the weight the moment you pick it up. The front features a distinctive sun ray pattern radiating outward, with the sport icon and text engraved in multiple layers.
The back is blank, which is both a practical feature and a limitation — more on that in a moment.
Build Quality and Real-World Durability
The die-struck construction means the detail isn’t just printed on — it’s physically pressed into the metal. The sun ray lines are crisp, and the sport icons (running, soccer, basketball, swimming, and others in the set) are clearly defined even from a few feet away. At 7 inches, the visual impact when presented on stage or at a podium is genuinely impressive.
That said, the ribbon is the weak link. Several customers noted it feels lighter than the medal deserves. One reviewer mentioned, “The medal itself is gorgeous but I’d immediately swap the ribbon for a thicker one if you’re giving these to serious athletes.” Given the medal’s weight, the thin strap will work fine for a single ceremony, but if you’re running weekly events, budget for replacement ribbons.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
The 4.7-star average across 235 ratings isn’t a fluke. Recurring themes in customer feedback:
- Perceived value: Multiple buyers noted recipients assumed these cost far more than they did. “Everyone thought these were $50 medals,” one customer wrote.
- Design clarity: The sun ray pattern is frequently called out as “elegant” and “classy” — not the typical cheap-looking award aesthetic.
- Versatility: Event organizers appreciate being able to order mixed sport styles in one batch for multi-sport tournaments.
Where It Falls Short
Beyond the ribbon issue, the biggest limitation is the lack of customization. You cannot add your event name, year, or organization to the front design. The back is blank, so you’d need to find a local engraver for personalization — an extra cost and step that may push the total beyond your budget.
Also worth noting: the 7-inch size is imposing. If you’re awarding to youth participants (under 12), this might feel oversized and unwieldy around their necks. The included ribbon is sized for adults.
Who Should Buy This
- Event directors running corporate tournaments, charity races, or school championship meets who want trophy-grade awards without the trophy price
- League organizers needing mixed sport styles for multi-sport finals
- Coaches who want a medal that makes athletes feel genuinely recognized
Skip this if you need full customization on the face, or if you’re buying for young children where the size would be overwhelming.
FAQ
Q: Can I get my event name printed on the medal? A: No. The front design is fixed. The back is blank, so you’ll need a local trophy shop for engraving.
Q: How durable is the finish? A: The plating holds up well to normal handling and display. It will show scratches if tossed in a bag with keys, but that’s true of any medal.
Q: What’s the actual diameter including the sun ray edges? A: A full 7 inches across. The sun ray points extend to the outer edge, so there’s no wasted border — the design fills the entire face.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a substantial, professional-looking award that punches above its price point and don’t mind the lack of front-face customization. Skip it if you need personalized text or you’re awarding to young children.
Rating: 4.6/5 — The medal itself earns every star. The ribbon and customization constraints hold it back from perfection. For the price, this is one of the better value awards in its class.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.