Two trap marksmen will join two of the Philippines’ top female shooters, Amparo Acuna and Franchette Quiroz in the search for qualifying points and slots for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This developed after two of three members of the national team in the men’s shotgun, Hagen Topacio and Carlos Carag, were given enough points following their competitions in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Quiroz, now the highest ranking shooter from the Philippines after the Asiad, and Acuna will be in the company of Topacio and Carag in joining international meets and opportunities to go higher in the Olympic Qualification system.
After her stint in the Asiad, Acuna moved up again is now no. 134 in the Olympic qualification rankings (from 152) in the 50-meter rifle, 3-prone position.
Acuna, who is previously at no. 175, rose higher to no. 157 in the 10-meter air rifle event.
Both Topacio and Carag did not make the finals. But Topacio’s score of 117 and Carag’s tally of 114 in the qualifications were enough to push them in the International Shooting Sport Federation’s Olympic Qualification Rankings, which is updated monthly.
The 33-year-old Topacio now has an OQR of 188, with Carag behind at 207.
A third trap shooter, Eric Ang fired a 107 to land 38th place in the Asiad meet, but this was not enough to earn Olympic ranking points.
The four shooters are now preparing for the 15th Asian Shooting Championship 2023 in two weeks.
The Asian meet, slated from October 22 to November 2 in Changwon, Korea, will offer two Olympic qualification slots in 12 events.
