Miguel Archangel Cruz in action at the World Shootfest in Czech Republic.
Pinoy amateur shooter Miguel Cruz bags bronze in world shootfest
MIGUEL Archangel Cruz, a 16-year-old amateur Filipino shooter grabbed a bronze medal in the recently concluded Fifth World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Championship held at Pilsen, Czech Republic from July 26 to August 3, 2023.
A member of the 10-man delegation from the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA), Cruz competed in the rimfire heavy rifle category against 237 other benchrest rifle competitors coming from 23 other countries.
Before joining the international shooting competition, Cruz underwent a three-month amateur shooting training under the tutelage of Coach Jimmy Maniwang and was supervised by Delia Quidato, both from the PNSA.
He originally brought his own rifle although during the competition proper, he was unable to use his personal long gun and had to borrow another competitor’s rifle.
Despite his predicament, he was able to acclimatize himself with the new rifle and placed 3rd against more seasoned Australian shooters who won the gold and silver medals.
The PNSA headed by its president, Isabela (5th District) Rep. Faustino Michael Dy III supported the event by sending some of their officials and coaches to support the Philippine shooting team.
Its chairman is retired Major General Natalio Ecarma III.
A son of retired Police Major General Gilbert DC Cruz and Pola, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Jennifer M. Cruz, Miguel is a senior high school student at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in Pasig City.
