PUEBLA, Mexico – Four archers from Baja California have earned their places on the Mexican national team, poised to compete in the historic first stage of the Archery World Cup to be held in Puebla from April 7-12, 2026. The athletes successfully navigated the final phase of the national selection process, held at the Centro Nacional de Desarrollo de Talentos Deportivos y Alto Rendimiento (CNAR).
Baja California has consistently been a strong force in Mexican archery, and this latest achievement underscores that reputation. The selection process, culminating in Phase 4 at the CNAR, determined the athletes who will represent Mexico on the international stage. This year’s World Cup in Puebla marks a significant milestone as the first time Mexico will host a stage of the prestigious competition.
The selected athletes will compete as part of both the National Team A and National Team B squads. Their inclusion highlights the depth of talent emerging from Baja California’s archery programs. The competition at CNAR was crucial, defining the teams that will kick off the 2026 World Cup series – a circuit widely regarded as one of the most important in international archery.
Here’s a breakdown of the Baja California athletes who have made the cut:
- Adriana Castillo – Compound Women, National Team A
- Ximena Estrada – Compound Women, National Team B
- Francisco Padilla – Recurve Men, National Team A
- Rebeca Márquez – Recurve Women, National Team A
The athletes’ success follows a rigorous selection process. Earlier this year, on March 5th, four archers from Baja California advanced to Phase 4 of the selection process, according to reporting from BajaNews. Adriana Castillo and Ximena Estrada competed in the compound bow category, while Francisco Padilla and Rebeca Márquez focused on the recurve bow.
During Phase 3, Adriana Castillo secured second place with 249 bonus points in the compound women’s division, and Ximena Estrada finished fifth with 90 points, maintaining her position among the top eight contenders. Francisco Padilla likewise claimed second place in the recurve men’s division with 235 bonus points, and Rebeca Márquez finished fifth in the recurve women’s division with 103 points.
The upcoming World Cup in Puebla is expected to draw some of the best archers from around the globe. The event represents a significant opportunity for Mexico to showcase its growing archery talent and for these four athletes from Baja California to compete at the highest level. The competition will run from April 7th to April 12th, offering fans a chance to witness world-class archery firsthand.
Phase 4 of the national selection process was a pivotal moment for all athletes involved, solidifying the teams that will represent Mexico in the opening leg of the 2026 World Cup series. The athletes now turn their focus to preparation for Puebla, aiming to deliver strong performances and contribute to Mexico’s success on home soil.
The city of Puebla is preparing to welcome the international archery community, marking a recent chapter for the sport in Mexico. The event is anticipated to boost tourism and inspire a new generation of archers within the country. Fans and supporters are encouraged to follow the competition and cheer on the Mexican team, particularly the four athletes representing Baja California.
The athletes are all originally from Tijuana, Baja California, demonstrating the strength of the region’s archery development programs. They are now awaiting further details regarding the schedule and specific arrangements for the World Cup in Puebla, which will be announced by Gabriel Ramos, president of World Archery Mexico, and the technical director, Juan René Serrano.
As the World Cup approaches, the focus will be on refining techniques, building team cohesion, and ensuring peak physical and mental readiness. The athletes from Baja California, along with their teammates, are committed to representing Mexico with pride and achieving success in Puebla.
The first stage of the 2026 World Cup season will take place in Puebla from April 7-10, marking a historic moment for national archery as it’s the first time a stage of the World Cup series will be held in Mexico.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Archery World Cup in Puebla and updates on the performance of the Mexican national team.
