Baja California’s archery delegation is finalizing preparations for the 2026 National Olympics (CONADE), with athletes set to depart for Tlaxcala this weekend to compete in Apizaco from April 26 through May 2.
The team consists of 43 athletes, ten coaches, and one delegation official, according to verified reports from En Linea BC. They will represent Baja California in both recurve and compound bow disciplines across multiple age categories including Sub 14, Sub 16, Sub 18, Sub 21, and Sub 24 for both men and women.
This marks the state’s continued participation in Mexico’s premier youth and juvenile sports program, now in its 30th edition. The athletes have been training at the Ciudad Deportiva facility in Mexicali as part of their buildup to the national competition.
Prior to departure, the archers participated in a preparatory tournament known as the Torneo Arqueros de Fuego, held at the Ciudad Deportiva grounds. Organized by the Asociación de Arqueros de Baja California, the event served as a key evaluation opportunity for athletes aiming to secure spots on the state squad.
During that January event, 86 Baja California athletes competed, firing 72 arrows each in initial rounds before compound bow specialists took their turn. The competition featured athletes across all Olympic National categories, with both genders represented in recurve and compound divisions.
Adriana Castillo, who won the Baja California State Sports Award in 2025, provided leadership to the compound bow group during the tournament. Her experience as a world-level archer was highlighted as valuable for the younger athletes’ development.
The state archery association used the tournament to monitor athletes’ progress and consistency as they pursued selection for the Tlaxcala 2026 team. Coaches emphasized that February 21 would be the final opportunity for athletes to qualify through the Estado Championship in Mexicali.
Looking back at Baja California’s performance in the 2025 National Olympics held in Tlaxcala, the archery team finished fourth nationally with a medal haul of 12 gold, 8 silver, and 12 bronze. That effort involved 49 archers who competed at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Apizaco.
For the 2025 event, head coach Luis Alfaro emphasized preparing for variable weather conditions, specifically mentioning training simulations that included rain to build athlete adaptability. The presence of world-class athletes like Castillo and Octavio Padilla during training camp was noted for providing mentorship to junior competitors.
The 2026 competition schedule begins with individual classification and team elimination rounds for men on April 26 at 8:00 a.m. Local time, followed by women’s individual classification at noon. Events will take place at the same Centro de Alto Rendimiento venue used in the previous year’s competition.
Baja California’s archery program continues to develop through structured evaluation events and consistent participation in national-level competitions. The state’s approach combines technical preparation with environmental adaptation strategies to maximize athlete readiness.
As the delegation prepares for its journey to Tlaxcala, the focus remains on performing across all age and equipment categories while building on recent competitive results. The team’s departure this weekend marks the start of their official participation in the 30th edition of Mexico’s National Olympics.
Readers can follow updates on Baja California’s athletic delegations through official state sports channels and regional sports media covering the CONADE 2026 competition in Tlaxcala.
