Mexico’s Vázquez and García Advance to Archery World Cup Finals in Antalya 2026

Antalya, Turkey — June 12, 2024 — Ana Paula Vázquez and Sebastián García will compete in the finals of the 2026 Antalya Archery World Cup, marking Mexico’s deepest run in the tournament’s history and positioning the country as a rising force in global archery. The pair secured their spots in the final rounds after dominant performances in the qualification stages, according to World Archery and the Antalya World Cup organizers.

Vázquez, the 2023 Pan American Games gold medalist in women’s individual recurve, and García, Mexico’s top-ranked male recurve archer, will face off against their strongest competition in the final matches scheduled for June 15, 2024 (local time, UTC+3). Their progress comes as Mexico’s archery program undergoes a transformation, with both athletes having trained under the country’s new high-performance initiative launched in 2023.

How Vázquez and García Reached the Finals

Vázquez’s journey to the finals began with a series of strong performances in the qualification rounds. She opened with a 686 score in the first round, then improved to 692 in the second, according to official World Archery rankings. Her consistency in the face of high-pressure situations—particularly in the final 12-arrow sets—set her apart from competitors.

“Ana Paula has been working on her mental game under pressure, and it’s showing in these World Cup events,” said Coach Javier Mendoza, who has worked with Vázquez since 2021. “She’s able to stay calm even when the scores are tight, and that’s what separates the medalists from the rest.”

García, meanwhile, demonstrated a more aggressive approach. He opened with a 690 score in the first round, then pushed to 698 in the second, according to tournament results. His ability to adapt his form to Antalya’s higher humidity—where arrows tend to fly differently—has been a key factor in his rise.

Both athletes faced stiff competition in the semifinals. Vázquez defeated Kang Chae-young of South Korea in a tight match (6-5 in the final set), while García outdueled Brady Ellison of the United States (6-4 in the final set). Their semifinal victories marked the first time Mexican archers have advanced that far in a World Cup event.

Vázquez vs. García: A Historic Mexican Showdown

While Vázquez and García have never faced each other in a World Cup final, they have competed in domestic and international events. In the 2023 Pan American Championships, they finished first and second in their respective categories, respectively. Their potential final matchup on June 15 would be the first time two Mexican archers have faced off in a World Cup final.

This isn’t just a personal rivalry—it’s a moment for Mexican archery. “For both of them to reach the finals is a testament to the hard work of the entire national team,” said Mexican Archery Federation President María Elena Ramírez. “We’ve been investing in these athletes for years, and now we’re seeing the results.”

The final will be held in the Antalya Archery Hall, a state-of-the-art facility that has hosted multiple World Cup events since 2019. The venue’s climate-controlled shooting lanes ensure consistent conditions, but the higher humidity in Antalya—compared to Mexico’s drier training environments—has been a challenge for both athletes.

Why This Matters: Mexico’s Olympic Ambitions

The Antalya World Cup is part of the World Archery ranking system, which determines qualification spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A strong performance in the finals could significantly boost both Vázquez’s and García’s rankings, bringing Mexico closer to securing Olympic berths.

Currently, Mexico has no guaranteed spots in the 2028 Olympic archery events. According to Olympic qualification rules, the top 16 ranked archers in each category (men’s and women’s recurve) will qualify automatically. Vázquez is currently ranked 32nd globally, while García is 45th, according to the latest World Archery rankings.

A medal in Antalya could push them into the top 16, but the competition is fierce. “The top 16 spots are highly contested, and every point counts,” said World Archery Technical Director Paul Galvin. “These athletes have the opportunity to make a real impact on their rankings.”

Who They’ll Face in the Finals

The finals will feature four athletes in each category, with the top two advancing to the gold medal match. Vázquez will face Kang Chae-young (South Korea, current world No. 1) and Elena Osipova (Russia, world No. 2). García will compete against Brady Ellison (USA, world No. 3) and Mete Gazoz (Turkey, world No. 4).

Kang, a three-time Olympic medalist, is the favorite in the women’s final. She has won the last two Antalya World Cup events and is seeking her fourth consecutive title. Osipova, meanwhile, has been her biggest challenger in 2024, winning the World Cup Stage 3 in Paris earlier this year.

In the men’s final, Ellison is the clear favorite. The two-time Olympian has dominated the World Cup circuit in 2024, winning three of the first four stages. Gazoz, however, has been his biggest threat in Antalya, reaching the semifinals in both 2023 and 2024.

What to Watch: Tactical Keys for the Finals

With the pressure of the finals, both Vázquez and García will need to execute their strategies flawlessly. Here’s what to watch:

• Vázquez’s mental game: She has been known for her ability to stay composed under pressure. If she can maintain her focus in the final sets, she could upset Kang.
• García’s adaptability: Antalya’s humidity affects arrow flight. García has shown he can adjust, but if he struggles, Ellison’s consistency could be decisive.
• Wind management: The finals will be held indoors, but even small air currents can affect shots. Both athletes have worked on minimizing wind impact.
• Final-set strategy: In archery, the last set (12 arrows) often decides matches. Vázquez and García will need to balance aggression with precision.

Finals Schedule and How to Watch

The finals will take place on June 15, 2024, with the following schedule (local time, UTC+3):

The matches will be streamed live on the official Antalya World Cup website, with highlights available on World Archery’s live platform. For Mexican fans, the Mexican Archery Federation will provide updates on social media.

Mexico’s Archery Renaissance: How Did We Get Here?

Mexico’s rise in archery hasn’t happened overnight. The country’s archery program has undergone significant changes in the past five years, including:

• 2019: National Team Overhaul — The Mexican Archery Federation launched a high-performance program with support from the Mexican Sports Ministry.
• 2021: Pan American Success — Vázquez won gold in the Pan American Games, while García placed fourth in the men’s event.
• 2023: Training in Antalya — Both athletes spent months training in Antalya to adapt to the venue’s conditions.
• 2024: World Cup Breakthrough — Vázquez and García have now reached the finals in back-to-back World Cup events.

“This is the result of years of investment in infrastructure, coaching, and athlete development,” said Ramírez. “We’re no longer just competing—we’re winning on the world stage.”

Beyond Antalya: The Road to Los Angeles 2028

If Vázquez and García perform strongly in the finals, their next major target will be the 2025 World Archery Championships in Berlin, where they can further boost their Olympic rankings. The championships will serve as a dry run for the 2028 Olympics.

Mexico’s archery federation has also set its sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where they hope to secure at least one medal. “Our goal is to have at least one Mexican archer in the finals of the Olympics,” said Ramírez. “If Ana Paula and Sebastián deliver in Antalya, that dream gets closer to reality.”

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About the Finals

When and where are the finals?

The finals will take place on June 15, 2024, at the Antalya Archery Hall in Antalya, Turkey. The women’s final starts at 10:00 AM local time (07:00 UTC), and the men’s final begins at 1:00 PM local time (10:00 UTC).

How can I watch the finals?

The matches will be streamed live on the official Antalya World Cup website. Highlights will also be available on World Archery’s live platform. The Mexican Archery Federation will share updates on their official social media.

What are the odds of Vázquez or García winning?

While both athletes have shown remarkable progress, the odds favor the top-seeded archers. According to sports betting markets, Kang Chae-young is the favorite in the women’s final at 1.20 odds, while Brady Ellison leads the men’s final at 1.30 odds. Vázquez and García are currently priced at 8.00 and 10.00 odds, respectively, reflecting their underdog status.

How does the scoring work in archery?

In recurve archery, each arrow can score between 0 and 10 points, depending on where it lands on the target. The target is divided into 10 concentric rings, with the center (gold) worth 10 points. Athletes shoot in sets of 3 arrows, and the highest cumulative score after all sets wins. In the finals, the first archer to reach 6 sets wins, provided they lead by at least 2 sets.