Mexican archer Samuel Molina Núñez secured the gold medal in the men’s open recurve division at the 2026 World Para Archery Series in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, defeating Indonesia’s Kholidin in a dramatic single-arrow tiebreak.
The competition, held from September 5 to September 9, 2026, marked a career milestone for the two-time Paralympian from Michoacán. Representing Guanajuato, Molina fought back from an early deficit in the final match to claim his first-ever gold medal on the world series circuit.
How the Final Unfolded in Ahmedabad
The gold-medal match tested both competitors across a tense five sets. Molina dropped the opening set, and the Indonesian archer extended his lead to 3–1 after the second round. Molina recovered in the third set to level the score, setting up a tight finish as the subsequent two rounds ended in a 5–5 deadlock.
The match was decided by a single tiebreak arrow. Kholidin shot an 8, while Molina landed a perfect 10 in the center of the target. That final shot sealed the victory and earned the Mexican archer the tournament’s top podium spot.
Preparation for the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games
For Molina, who currently holds the top position in the 2026 continental rankings, the World Para Archery Series served as a key preparatory test. The tournament builds toward the upcoming Parapan American Championship, which will distribute qualification slots for the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games.
Sandra Loza Tenorio emphasized the collective effort behind the milestone. She stated that the victory reflects years of discipline, daily work, and trust from an unwavering support network, while thanking the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport, Archery Mexico, and the Sports Commission for backing their athletic project.
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