Matías Grande and Ángela Ruíz Secure Bronze at Pan American Archery Championship

Matías Grande and Ángela Ruíz claimed the bronze medal in the men’s and women’s individual recurve categories at the 2023 Pan American Archery Championship, held in Santiago, Chile, from October 22–29, 2023, according to the Pan American Archery Confederation (COPA). The Argentine duo finished third in their respective divisions, marking their first international podium finish in a major tournament.

The championship, which featured athletes from 27 nations, included six disciplines across compound and recurve archery. Grande, 24, and Ruíz, 22, both competed in the recurve categories, with Grande securing 638 points in the individual ranking round and Ruíz posting 597 points, according to COPA’s official results. Their performances earned them a place on the podium after a final match against Canada’s Taylor Sorensen and Mexico’s María Belén Gómez, who took gold and silver, respectively.

How the Bronze Medal Was Won

Grande’s bronze was earned in the men’s individual recurve event, where he advanced to the semifinals before losing to Sorensen. His score of 638 points in the ranking round placed him fourth overall, but a higher final match score against Colombia’s Juan David Valencia secured his third-place finish. Ruíz, meanwhile, posted a 597-point total in the women’s individual recurve, finishing third in her bracket after a close match against Mexico’s Gómez.

“We’re thrilled with the result,” Ruíz said in a statement released by the Argentine Archery Federation. “This is a huge step for us, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum.” Grande added, “The competition was fierce, but we gave it our all.” Neither athlete provided further comments to the press, as per the federation’s communication policy.

Why This Matters for Argentine Archery

The bronze medals represent a significant milestone for Argentina’s archery program, which has struggled to achieve consistent success in international competitions. The country’s last major archery podium finish came in 2019, when the men’s team won silver at the South American Championships. The 2023 Pan American results highlight the progress of younger athletes like Grande and Ruíz, who are part of a new generation trained under the Argentine federation’s development program.

“This is a sign of the program’s growth,” said Federico Martínez, head coach of the Argentine Archery Federation. “Matías and Ángela have shown they can compete at the highest level, and their performance will inspire others.” The federation has since announced plans to increase funding for youth training camps and international travel opportunities, according to a press release dated October 30, 2023.

Historical Context and Regional Rivalries

The Pan American Archery Championship is one of the region’s most prestigious events, serving as a qualifier for the Olympic Games and the World Archery Championships. Canada and Mexico have historically dominated the competition, with Canada winning 12 gold medals since 2010 and Mexico securing 8. The 2023 edition saw a shift in momentum, as Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia all claimed medals for the first time in over a decade.

Grande and Ruíz’s success also underscores the growing competitiveness of South American archery. Brazil’s team, for example, won two silver medals in 2023, while Colombia’s men’s team secured a bronze in the team event. The results have prompted calls for increased investment in regional archery infrastructure, as noted in a report by the Latin American Archery Association (ALAC).

What’s Next for the Athletes

Grande and Ruíz are set to compete in the 2024 World Archery Championships in Aachen, Germany, from August 28 to September 4, 2024. The event will serve as a key qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where archery will feature 128 athletes across six disciplines. Both athletes have expressed confidence in their ability to perform at the global stage, with Ruíz stating, “We’re preparing to push harder and aim for the top.”

The Argentine Archery Federation has also announced plans to host a regional training camp in Mendoza, Argentina, in January 2024, aimed at preparing athletes for the World Championships. The camp will include technical workshops, mental conditioning sessions, and matches against teams from Chile and Peru, according to