OLYMPIC hopeful Franchette Quiroz ended up in fourth place in the ongoing qualification round of the women’s 25-m air pistol event of the 2024 International Shooting Sports Federation’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament for rifle and pistol.
The 27-year-old Quiroz tallied a subtotal of 293 in the precision category, as action got under way on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the event that serves as the final qualifier for the Paris Olympics.
Up next for Quiroz, who is coached by Qatari instructor Murad Hanov, is the rapid fire subgroup of the competition, where she is expected to do even better.
Greek shooter and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medallist Anna Korakaki leads the field with her subtotal of 296, ahead of Vietnamese bet Trin Thu Vinh (294).
At third is Azerbaijani standout Nigar Nasirova with the same score as Quiroz (293).
“She is currently no. 4 after first day in Precision 25m. She is competing later today for the second half of rapid fire. Hopefully, she maintains the momentum and get in the finals,” said Philippine National Shooting Association secretary general Iryne Garcia.
Meanwhile, Amparo Acuna settled for 100th place in the women’s 10-meter air rifle qualifications with a tally of 607.
Jeannette Derestag of Norway came out on top with 633.6, with Iranian bet Najmeh Khedmati behind with 633.
Acuna hopes to do better in her next event, the 50-meter 3-position competitions.
Last January, Quiroz’s chances of reaching the Paris Olympics got boosted again after her Olympic and world rankings rose.
Back then, the 27-year-old Quiroz, got her highest grade in the Qualification Ranking for the Olympic Games at no. 70 in the women’s 25-meter air pistol event.
This was after Quiroz tallied 850 points to move up to no. 8 in the world rankings.
This month, Quiroz slightly dropped to no. 76, in the Olympic rankings, and at no. 18 in the world level.