In the world of archeryprecision is an art that is born from discipline and is strengthened by passion. This is the story of Fernando Castellano Lara, Uriel Hernandez Huerta y Leonardo Noé Pérez Martínezthree young archers of the BUAP that transformed the inspiration found into movies, video games and Olympic competitions in a sports project that is bearing fruit today.
Fernando, 22 years old, clearly remembers the image that motivated him:
“Since you watch the Olympics and see the archers with that precision… as young people we would like to be able to do it one day”.
Uriel, 24, grew up watching series and films that sparked his curiosity about the bow; while Noé, 19, discovered his interest through video games. The university became the stage where that concern was transformed into a sporting path.
Despite sharing the same goal in archery, each one follows a different academic path. Fernando is in the eighth semester of RightUriel concluded Mechatronic Engineering and Noé studies the third semester of Public Accounting.
Combining training and studies has been a constant challenge. “It is quite a challenge for a student to be selective at university. It is a sacrifice, but it is worth it because it is something that you are passionate about”says Fernando. All three agree that the institutional supportsuch as special permissions to adjust schedules, has been key to maintaining balance.
The National Universiade 2025held at the BUAP, became the scene of his greatest achievement so far. Against competitors from all over the country, the team obtained the team bronze medala triumph that they especially value for having achieved it in their own school.
Fernando and Uriel also have medals in state competitions and national Olympics, while Noé accumulates achievements in internal competitions, consolidating a promising career within university sports.
The road to the podium was also marked by setbacks. Two years ago, a regional competition confronted them with a tough lesson. “We were very confident… and there was a state, Veracruz, that we didn’t imagine, the team dismantled us”Fernando remembers.
Uriel adds that this experience taught them maintain sporting humility: “It helped us to know that there can always be someone better… and to give them more desire”.
The three archers invite more young people to explore this sport. Fernando, who started at age 20 with no prior experience, encourages trusting yourself: “If they like it and are passionate about it, they will give results”.
Uriel highlights that sport opens doors and opportunitiesand Noé encourages overcoming the initial fear of the bow, offering the guidance he would have liked to have when starting out.
Three different stories converge on a single objective: to demonstrate that with discipline, passion and institutional supportany sporting or academic goal is achievable. The BUAP archers confirm that, beyond the target, there is a path built of perseverance and dedication.
