Skeet shooter Brian Rosario had proven he can match the minimum qualifying scores for the Olympics - six times in the last four years - except that he made it in unofficial qualifying events for the quadrennial games.
It was enough, however, for the national shooting federation to pick him over three other top shots for the one wild card awarded to the country for the London Olympics.
The 30-year-old Rosario had hit 122 of 125 targets in one national tournament and made 120/125 in several international competitions.
At the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, however, Rosario faltered early with a 19 in the second round en route to a 110 total, good for only 31st in a field of 36.
Vincent Hancock of the US retained the title he won in Beijing with a 148 total that included a 25 in the final.
