Female sharpshooters put Paris in crosshairs

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Franchette Shayne Quiroz boosted her chances for a Summer Games appearance in Paris after wiping out two national records at the recent 2024 Asian Shooting Championships, a rifle and pistol Olympic qualification meet held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Wielding two new pistols in her quest to don the national colors in the glamorous French capital, the 28-year-old shooter Quiroz scored 850 points in the women’s 25-meter air pistol event and climbed to No. 8 in the world rankings and No. 70 in the Olympic qualification placings.

Quiroz tallied 581 in the qualification phase, good for sixth place and enough to shatter the previous Philippine record of 578 established by Susan Aguado two decades back.

“I wasn’t really thinking about breaking two records. I just went out there, focused and did my best. My mindset was to enjoy just being in the finals,’’ said Quiroz, brandishing her new gear in the 25-m event, an Italian Pardini pistol.

She likewise rose to No. 12 in the world rankings of the women’s 10-m air pistol, Quiroz’s pet event where she tallied 573 in the qualifying round that reset her own national record of 572 achieved two years ago.

Thanks partly to a newly acquired Morini pistol with electronic sights, Quiroz leapt to No. 80 in the Olympic placings from No. 157 prior to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, late last year.

“I couldn’t really have done it without the help of my coach and the support of the association (Philippine National Shooting Association),’’ said Quiroz.

Mentored by Qatari coach Murad Hanov since last year, Quiroz is one of two lady shooters with a shot at Paris.

Amparo Acuna, a bronze medalist in the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships, rose to No. 152 in the Olympic rankings of the women’s 10-m air rifle and No. 146 in the 50-m 3-position event.

The 26-year-old placed 44th in the 10-m air rifle with a total of 620.3 during the Jakarta meet and totaled 571 in the 50-m, 3-position category for 41st place. INQ