The Guatemalan national shooting team is setting its sights on Morocco, where the Shotgun World Cup will be held from March 25 to April 3. This significant event marks the commencement of the international calendar for 2026, and Guatemala will be represented by five athletes prepared to compete at the highest level.
Representatives Adriana Ruano, Waleska Soto, Jean Pierre Brol, and Enrique Brol will participate in the trap shooting category, while Emily Padilla will compete in skeet shooting. All athletes are backed by the Guatemalan Olympic Committee and carry clear objectives as they embark on what is anticipated to be one of the most challenging seasons for the Guatemalan delegation.
Significance of the World Cup for Athletes
The Morocco World Cup is not just the first major international showcase of the year; it also marks the beginning of an Olympic cycle with the ultimate goal of the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Each of the five shooters has their own unique yet equally significant reasons for participating in this event.
For Adriana Ruano, the World Cup arrives at a particularly pivotal moment. The gold medalist from the Paris 2024 Olympics has made adjustments to her new shotgun and views the competition in Africa as a crucial test to gauge these changes. "It's not the same to use it in training as it is in competition, but I feel confident with the adjustments," remarked the Olympic champion.
Waleska Soto, on the other hand, is focusing on consistency. The seasoned shooter, who has participated in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, is also eyeing her potential sixth Central American and Caribbean Games. She understands that this year marks the beginning of the qualifying process for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Jean Pierre Brol, currently ranked seventh in the world and a bronze medalist from Paris 2024, expressed that he is in good form after overcoming a period of low performance. "I found the problem and feel ready to pursue a good result," stated the Guatemalan shooter, who, along with his brother Enrique, is also preparing for the qualifying process for the Central American and Caribbean Games.
As reported by prensalibre.com.
