The Rise of Matías Grande: Leading Mexico’s New Era in Archery

Mexican archery is undergoing a profound generational shift, and at the center of this transformation is Matías Grande. At 21 years old, the recurve specialist has rapidly ascended to become the premier representative of his country in the sport, currently holding the third spot in the world rankings with 305 points.

For a nation with a storied history in the discipline, Grande represents more than just a high ranking. he is the bridge to the future. As legendary figures such as Juan René Serrano and Eduardo Vélez step away from the competitive stage, Grande is spearheading a youth movement that aims to maintain Mexico’s presence on the global podium.

A Global Contender: From Madrid to Gwangju

Grande’s trajectory has been defined by a steady, disciplined climb. He has already secured a Pan American championship and earned medals across the World Cup and World Series circuits. One of the standout moments of his recent career came in July 2025, when he captured the gold medal at the Archery World Cup in Madrid. He also secured gold in Dublin, a run that earned him a place in the Grand Final in China in October 2025.

However, the road to the top is rarely linear. At the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, Grande showcased both his brilliance and the razor-thin margins of elite competition. After placing 23rd in the qualifying stage, he tore through the early rounds with clinical precision, defeating Nguyen Minh of Vietnam (7-3), Tom Hall of England (6-2), and Federico Musolesi of Italy (7-3). In a high-stakes round of 16 match, he stunned local favorite Lee Woo Seok with a 6-2 victory.

His run eventually ended in the quarterfinals, where he fell 4-6 to Spain’s Andrés Temiño. While Grande missed the medal fight, Temiño went on to take the gold after defeating Brazil’s Marco D’Almeida 6-5 in the final. Despite the loss, the Gwangju performance solidified Grande’s status as a “strong card” for Mexico’s future Olympic aspirations.

The Road to Los Angeles 2028

For Grande, the current cycle is about refinement and redemption. He participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where his journey ended in the round of 16. Rather than letting the early exit deter him, the archer used the experience as fuel for his return.

“I’ve grown a lot as a person in the last few years,” Grande noted, reflecting on his post-Paris motivation. “I returned very motivated, with every desire to keep working so that Mexico maintains its good results in the discipline.”

As he sets his sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Grande describes himself as a more disciplined athlete with a more polished technique and increased self-confidence. His goal is clear: facilitate the Mexican national team reach the podium for the third consecutive Olympic edition.

Origins and Philosophy

The precision Grande displays on the line is rooted in a family tradition of marksmanship. Originating from Celaya, Guanajuato, Grande grew up in an environment where accuracy was valued, influenced by a father who practiced hunting and other shooting modalities. However, Matías sought a different path than the firearm.

He began practicing archery around the age of 14, drawn to the intrinsic nature of the sport. In his view, the bow offers a more personal connection to the shot—a philosophy where the athlete, rather than a trigger or a cannon, is solely responsible for the flight of the arrow.

This mental approach, combined with rigorous training in breath control and “meta-physical” technique, allowed him to scale the national system quickly. Despite his individual success, Grande remains humble about his role within the team. While he is the top-ranked Mexican male archer, he views himself as part of a broader, talented group of athletes, most of whom are 20 years old or younger.

With the World Cup in Puebla appearing as his next immediate challenge, the archery world will be watching to spot if Grande can convert his ranking into more hardware. For Mexico, he is not just a competitor; he is the new face of a sport that continues to define the nation’s Olympic identity.

Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on the World Cup in Puebla and Matías Grande’s journey toward LA 2028.