Mexican recurve archer Maya Casas will make her Youth Olympic Games debut at Dakar 2026, aiming to become the first Mexican archer to win a medal at the event, El Universal reported. The Querétaro native has her sights set well beyond Senegal: a spot on Mexico’s senior national team and, ultimately, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Casas, who has already represented Mexico twice at international events, said watching veteran star Ale Valencia compete inspired her path. “I remember seeing Ale and saying, I want that — but the thing is to try,” she said. “If she’s there, why not try? The idea is to try to go to Los Angeles.”
A one-time shot at the Youth Games
The Youth Olympic Games, created in 2010 for athletes under 18, offer most competitors a single opportunity, Casas noted. “This was my only chance to go to the Youth Games and I made it,” she said. “I want that memory to stay in Mexico’s history, because as far as I know, Mexico has never won a medal in archery at the Youth Olympic Games.”
Tras un intenso selectivo en el CDOM, Maya Casas (Qro) y Diego Góngora (QRoo) aseguran su boleto en tiro con arco para los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud Dakar 2026. 🌍 Van a escribir el primer capítulo de su historia. ¡Vamos! 💪🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/hSTY0HfVWh
Casas has already trained in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, ahead of competition. Her tournament begins Friday, Nov. 6, with the ranking round, in which she will shoot 72 arrows in two blocks of 36. On Nov. 7 she faces her first round-of-16 match, and on Nov. 9 she would compete from the round of 8 through the final if she advances that far.
Chasing the names she grew up watching
To reach the senior selection, Casas would have to surpass archers she openly admires, including Valencia, Ana Pau Vázquez and Ángela Ruiz — a group that has delivered Olympic and world medals for Mexico in the women’s event. The internal competition, she implied, is now as important as international exposure.
Conoce a la selección mexicana de Tiro con Arco que nos representará en Dakar 2026 🇲🇽 Maya Casas 🇲🇽 Diego Gongora Pruebas en las que competirán: Individual y equipo mixto Días de prueba: 6 al 10 de noviembre pic.twitter.com/8wuqBXVzvJ
Before Los Angeles, the next major checkpoint on her calendar is the world youth championship in Turkey.
Handling the weight of the jersey
Casas said representing Mexico alone in her sport carries real pressure, but she has learned to manage it. “It’s a lot of pride, a lot of honor, it’s a big responsibility,” she said. “At the start it does intimidate you — you’re the only girl representing Mexico in your sport — but the thing is to enjoy it. As long as you love what you do, things work out on their own.”
Her next confirmed test comes Friday in Dakar, when the ranking round begins her push toward a place in Mexican archery history.
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