The Cuban archer Hugo Franco made a strong impression with his performance, ending Thursday in 21st place in the ranking round of the recurve bow category during Cuba's first appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Franco, the current national champion, scored a total of 669 points and will face Mexican archer Bruno Martínez in the elimination rounds. Martínez finished in 44th place with a score of 653 points, according to the event's official website.
"We worked all the time on managing the wind," Franco told the accredited press, revealing that the technical execution was also spectacular, allowing him to achieve the results he and his coach had planned.
Following this performance, the Cuban archer, the only representative from his country in this Olympic sport, will return to the shooting field on July 30, aiming to place among the top competitors.
The ranking round was led by the favorite, South Korean Woojin Kim, who scored 686 points. Kim, who dominated the team events in both Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020, undoubtedly plans to lead the individual competition.
With a delegation of just 62 athletes—the smallest since Tokyo 1964—Cuba aims to secure five gold medals and finish among the top 25 nations in the final standings of Paris 2024, which runs from July 26 to August 11.
Three years ago, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the island nation concluded in 14th place, boasting seven gold medals, three silver, and five bronze.
Insights into Hugo Franco's Olympic Archery Performance
Here are some frequently asked questions about Hugo Franco's performance and Cuba's participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
How did Hugo Franco perform in the ranking round?
Hugo Franco finished in 21st place with a score of 669 points in the recurve bow ranking round.
Who will Hugo Franco face in the elimination rounds?
Franco will compete against Mexican archer Bruno Martínez, who finished 44th with 653 points.
What are Cuba's goals for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
Cuba aims to win five gold medals and finish among the top 25 nations in the final standings.