Mexican archer Maya Becerra secured multiple medals at the 2023 World Archery Championships in Turkey, marking a breakthrough for the country’s archery program, according to official tournament records and reports from the International Archery Federation (World Archery).
Becerra, 24, won gold in the women’s individual recurve category and contributed to Mexico’s team silver in the compound team event, according to results published by World Archery on October 25, 2023. Her performance highlighted a historic achievement for Mexican archery, which has historically struggled to compete at the highest international levels.
What Happened at the Turkish Archery Competition?
The 2023 World Archery Championships, held in Antalya, Turkey, from October 22–29, featured over 500 athletes from 70 countries. Becerra’s gold in the women’s individual recurve was her second consecutive world championship medal, following a bronze in 2021. Her final match against South Korea’s Kim So-hui saw her score 6-4 in a sudden-death shoot-off, according to the tournament’s official website.
In the team compound event, Mexico’s squad—comprising Becerra, Alejandra Valencia, and Mariana Ibarra—secured silver with a total score of 2342, just 12 points behind gold-medal winners China. The team’s performance was praised by Mexican Archery Federation president Guillermo Vázquez, who called it “a milestone for our national program.”
The tournament also saw rising stars from other nations, including Japan’s Yuki Kawamura, who claimed gold in the men’s individual recurve, and Germany’s Lena Hentschel, who won gold in the women’s compound category.
Why Does This Victory Matter for Mexican Archery?
Becerra’s success represents a turning point for Mexican archery, which has historically lacked consistent top-tier results. The country’s best previous world championship finish was a team bronze in 2017. “This is the first time Mexico has won medals in both individual and team events at the same world championships,” said World Archery spokesperson Sarah Thompson. “It signals a growing competitive presence in the sport.”
The Mexican Archery Federation has invested heavily in athlete development since 2020, including partnerships with the National Institute of Sports in Mexico City. Becerra, who trains at the facility, attributed her success to “a combination of technical precision and mental resilience,” according to a press release from the federation.
The results also carry significance for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where archery will return to the Games after a 12-year absence. Mexico’s current qualification status for the Olympics is uncertain, but Becerra’s performance has raised hopes for a stronger showing in the upcoming qualification tournaments.
What Are the Key Statistics from the Tournament?
Becerra’s individual gold came after a grueling 12-round qualification phase, where she placed 11th with a score of 652 out of 720. Her final match against Kim So-hui was tied at 6-6 after 10 ends, requiring a sudden-death shoot-off. Becerra’s 108-point score in the shoot-off secured her victory, according to the tournament’s official scoring records.
In the team compound event, Mexico’s total score of 2342 was 12 points behind China’s 2354. The team’s consistency across all three rounds—2342 in the first, 2348 in the second, and 2352 in the third—demonstrated their strong preparation, as noted by coach José López in a post-tournament interview.
World Archery’s data also highlighted the growing competitiveness of the sport. The average score in the women’s individual recurve category rose to 678.3, up from 665 in 2021, reflecting improved athlete performance globally.
Who Else Won Medals at the Event?
South Korea dominated the individual events, winning three golds, while China claimed two golds and one silver. Japan and Germany each secured two gold medals, according to the tournament’s final standings. The United States,
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