JAKARTA – Hagen Alexander Topacio was right on target and was among the top contenders through the first of two qualifying days of men’s trap event in the 18th Asian Games shooting championships at the Jakabaring Sports City range in Palembang, South Sumatra on Sunday.
Topacio, a UP public administration graduate, hit two perfect rounds of 25 after a shaky opening round of 21 for 71, and was just one off joint leaders Manavjit Sandhu Singh of India and Pakistan’s Aamer Iqbal going to the last two rounds of the qualifying stage today.
Through the first 75 targets, Topacio was at joint third with Thai Savate Sresthaporn, Indian Lakshay Lakshay, Taiwanese Kumpi Yang, Korean teammates Daemyeong Ahn and Jiwon Eum and Lebanese Alain Moussa.
Six shooters were at 70 while two were at 69 among 30 competitors in this event where Topacio shone with a silver-medal feat in the 2015 Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait.
Topacio, however, is still out for a breakthrough in the Asian Games after dismal showings in Guangzhou in 2010 and in Incheon in 2014.
In the 2015 Asian Shooting Championships, Topacio improved by one the national mark with a score of 122 in the elims.
Two other Phl shooters set out for battle today with Jason Valdez and Amparo Acuna vying in the men’s and women’s 10-meter air rifle qualifying events.