Two families from Navarre are finding common ground on the archery range, balancing individual competition with a shared passion for the sport.
Fran Méndez Becerra, 59, and his son Adrián Méndez Gudiño, 26, alongside Arantxa Ibáñez Apesteguía, 51, and her 14-year-old daughter Nerea Pascual Ibáñez, have all earned spots on the Navarre selection team, as reported by Diario de Navarra.
The Méndez family’s involvement began eight years ago when Fran started accompanying Adrián to training sessions. Adrián, who competes in the intellectual disability category, began his journey in 2017 after attending archery exhibitions at his school, Salesianos. According to Diario de Navarra, the sport provided him with a vital social outlet, helping him overcome shyness and build confidence outside of his previous involvement in handball.
Adrián has since achieved significant national recognition, including a Spanish outdoor record in 2024 and two podium finishes in 2026—taking silver in both indoor and outdoor national championships. “When Adrián shoots, I suffer,” Fran told Diario de Navarra. “From the outside, it looks easy, but it isn’t.”
Shared goals in Navarre
For Arantxa Ibáñez and her daughter Nerea, the sport became a family pursuit in 2022. Arantxa, who initially viewed archery as a recreational interest, eventually moved into competitive shooting, earning a silver medal at last year’s Spanish indoor and 3D championship. Nerea, inspired by her mother’s progress, began her own training in primary school and has since joined the regional team.
Arantxa has taken her involvement a step further by qualifying as a level 1 judge, allowing her to remain present at events where Nerea competes. "The most important thing is that she enjoys it and achieves her goals, but without pressure," Arantxa told Diario de Navarra.
Recent results in Tafalla
The four archers most recently competed together at the first round of the Navarre Sports Games in Tafalla. The Méndez duo took the top spot in their division, while Arantxa secured first place and Nerea earned a third-place finish in their respective categories.
The group is scheduled to continue their season at the second round of competition, which will take place in San Adrián.
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