Franchette Quiroz’s Olympic rankings have risen dramatically after she took interest in joining 25-meter air pistol competitions almost nine months ago.
In the ongoing 2024 Asian Rifle and Pistol Olympic Qualifications meet in Jakarta, Indonesia, Quiroz continued her rise as she shattered two Philippine records.
Getting pointers from Qatari coach Murad Hanov, the 28-year-old Quiroz surpassed the Philippine marks in the women’s 25-meter air pistol and the 10-meter competitions.
She made it to the next phase after landing at sixth spot in the qualification, with 581 points. That tally in the qualification phase surpassed the previous mark of 578 set by Susan Aguado two decades ago.
Quiroz was also 12th in her pet event the 10-meter air pistol earlier in the week after submitting a score of 573 in the qualifying phase, as she broke her own Philippine record of 572 she set two years ago.
Her performances will most likely boost her rankings in her bid to make it to the Paris Olympics since Quiroz is now at no. 95 in the 10-meter event, leapfrogging from 157 before the Asian Games and to 102 when the Hangzhou, China meet was over.
Quiroz, who is one of two Filipino shooters, next to Amparo “Ampao” Acuna, who are in contention for seats in the Paris Games, reached the finals of the 25-meter action while in Jakarta.
Quiroz was eighth in the finals, behind Singaporeans Teh Xiu Hong and Teh Shu Xie, and with Wu Chia Ying of Chinese Taipei, earning qualification even if she made it to fifth place.
“My mindset was just to enjoy being in the finals for the first time. I had to get past two Singaporeans. But I was the first to be eliminated,” said Quiroz in an interview.
Quiroz’s teammate, Amparo Acuna, who is also in contention for Olympic qualification, was 44th in the 10-meter air pistol qualifiers with her total of 620.3, within range of the national record that she owns.
Acuna is still competing in the 50-meter, 3-position event as of presstime.