Franchette Quiroz set a Philippine record with her tally of 583, to finish at ninth place at the end of the qualification round of the women’s 25-m air pistol event of the ongoing 2024 International Shooting Sports Federation’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament for rifle and pistol on Tuesday evening.
Quiroz finished with 290 points in the rapid fire subgroup and with her previous score of 293 in the precision category, during the Paris Olympics’ final qualifiers for shooting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she went on to beat the 581 national mark she set in the Jakarta qualifiers twice last January.
But the 27-year old Quiroz, who already breached the two-decade-old mark of Susan Aguado twice, did not advance to the finals and the Olympics despite her good score.
Philippine National Shooting Association secretary general Iryne Garcia, however, commended Quiroz for her effort.
“Franchette placed 9th following today’s rapid fire event. She may have missed the final and the Olympic quota, but it was a valiant effort and a very strong performance against the best in the world,” said Garcia.
On Monday, Quiroz tallied a subtotal of 293 in the precision category.
Greek shooter and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medallist Anna Korakaki led the eight-member field, which qualified to the Paris games.
With her subtotal of 296, Korakaki finished with a 592, ahead of Hungarian Veronika Major (590), Iranian Haniyah Rostamiya (589) and Vietnamese bet Trin Thu Vinh (588).
Last January, Quiroz’s chances of reaching the Paris Olympics got boosted after her Olympic and world rankings went up to no. 70 and no. 8, respectively.
Garcia gave credit to Qatari instructor Murad Hanov for helping Quiroz in her bid. Hanov also had a hand in mental training for Amparo Acuna, who sought qualification in the 10-meter air rifle.
Acuna is still competing in the 50-meter, 3-position rifle category.