Quiroz rises to no. 8 in world, boosts bid for Paris Olympics

Brandishing two new pistols, Franchette Quiroz boosted her chances of reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics after her Olympic and world rankings rose further this week.

The 28-year-old Quiroz, who acquired new gear before she embarked on her quest last year, 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.

In the 10-meter event, Quiroz is now at no. 80, with her world ranking rising to no. 12.

Quiroz’s good fortunes came after she shattered two national records during the ongoing 2024 Asian Rifle and Pistol Olympic Qualifications meet in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Masaya po ako. Hindi ko in-expect na maka-break ng dalawang records. Pero sa tulong po ng association at ng coach, nagawa ko ito,” said Quiroz,

Quiroz, who is coached by Qatari instructor Murad Hanov since last year, surpassed the Philippine marks in the women’s 25-meter air pistol and the 10-meter competitions.

She accomplished this after using new equipment, a Morini with electronic sights for the 10-meter event, and a Italian Pardini pistol for her 25-meter event.

Her performances saw her Olympic ranking move up to no. 95 in the 10-meter event, from 157 before the Asian Games, and to 102 when the Hangzhou meet was over.

Quiroz, who is one of two Filipino shooters, next to Amparo “Ampao” Acuna, in contention for seats in the Paris Games, reached the finals of the 25-meter action in Jakarta with a record of 581, making it to sixth spot in the qualification. Quiroz’s tally in surpassed the previous mark of 578 set by Susan Aguado two decades ago.

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.

She was 12th in her pet event, the 10-meter air pistol earlier in the week after Quiroz submitted a score of 573 in the qualifying phase and ripped her own Philippine record of 572 she set two years ago.

Her teammate, Amparo Acuna also saw her rankings rise after she finished 44th in the 10-meter air pistol qualifiers with her total of 620.3 and landed 41st place at the close of the 50-meter, 3-position air rifle event with 571.

The 26-year old Acuna now has an Olympic rank of 152 in the women’s 10-meter air rifle, while she is at 146 in the 50-meter 3-position category.

Acuna also credited Hanov, aside from her coach Julius Valdez, for her recent performances.

“Coach Julius is helping me with my techniques, while Hanov takes care of me mentally, because my opponents are really tough,” said Acuna. — Peter Atencio