Nelson Salinas secured a silver medal for Argentina in the men’s compound team archery event at the XIII South American Games Santa Fe 2026, according to regional reporting. Competing alongside teammates Lucas Garcés and Iván Nikolajuk at the Hipódromo de Rosario, Salinas helped drive the national squad to a closely contested final against Colombia, where the Argentine trio finished on the podium’s second step.
The Gold Medal Clash in Rosario
The decisive match on Wednesday came down to a margin, as reported by regional outlets covering the multi-sport continental competition. The Colombian lineup—consisting of Sebastián Arenas, Pablo Gómez, and Jagdeep Singh—edged out the Argentine team by a score of 231 to 228 to claim the gold medal. Over four series, Salinas posted an average of 9.38 points, anchoring a veteran presence for the squad.
The flow of the final illustrated the intense battle between the two South American powerhouses. Colombia captured the opening series 58 to 55, before the second series ended in a tied 57-57 deadlock. Argentina responded by taking the third frame 58 to 57, but the Colombian team sealed the victory by taking the final series 59 to 58 at the Rosario venue.
Road to the Podium
To reach the gold medal match, the Argentine compound team navigated a demanding tournament bracket. According to match summaries, Argentina opened the knockout stages by defeating Paraguay 227 to 210 in the quarterfinals. The team then advanced to a semifinal against Brazil, securing a 228 to 224 victory to guarantee a podium finish before meeting Colombia in the final.
For Salinas, a 51-year-old competitor representing Tiro Con Arco Paraná, the silver medal marks a new step in his international career and brings recognition to the Entre Ríos region. The team podium finish adds another medal to the broader Argentine delegation’s medal count at the Santa Fe 2026 Games.
Next Steps in the Competition
Salinas’s campaign at the South American Games continues immediately following the team event. The archer is scheduled to begin his run in the individual compound tournament, opening his preliminary matches against Bolivian competitor Joel Gonzáles.
