Mexico has finalized its 16-archer national team for the 2026 international archery season following the conclusion of the fourth phase of the National Selection Trials at the Centro Nacional de Desarrollo de Talentos Deportivos y Alto Rendimiento (CNAR), according to official sports announcements. Operating under the auspices of the Comisión Nacional de Cultura Física y Deporte (CONADE), the trials brought together 32 of the top athletes across the country—eight per discipline—to establish the roster that will anchor the start of the Olympic cycle leading toward the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Road to Los Angeles 2028 Begins at CNAR
The intense two-day selection process at the CNAR complex in Mexico City sorted through elite fields in both recurve and compound divisions. According to reports from the selection phase, the top four athletes in each category secured spots on the prestigious Selección Nacional A. This squad shoulders immediate competitive duties on home soil, heading directly into the World Archery season opener.
The stakes for this new Olympic cycle carry added significance. For the first time, both recurve and compound disciplines will feature prominently within the core program of the Olympic framework, elevating the profile of compound specialists who previously lacked full medal events at the Games.
Elite Leadership and World Medalists Lead the Roster
According to tournament documentation, the women’s recurve squad boasts all three members of the historic podium-finishing trio from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Alejandra Valencia, Ana Paula Vázquez, and Ángela Ruiz. Valencia topped the selection standings with 595 points, followed by Ruiz with 499 points and Vázquez with 492 points. Rebeca Márquez rounded out the top four recurve women with 240 points.
In the men’s recurve division, international multimedallist Matías Grande claimed the top spot with 549 points. He is joined by Francisco Padilla with 492 points, Juan Téllez with 424 points, and Tadeo Rodríguez with 368 points.
The compound division features reigning world champions alongside continental titleholders. Maya Becerra led the compound women’s standings with an impressive 739 points, closely followed by current central and pan-American monarch Dafne Quintero with 636 points. Adriana Castillo (587 points) and Ana Hernández (510 points) completed the women’s compound top four. On the men’s compound side, international standout Sebastián García posted a leading 700 points, ahead of Rodrigo González (644 points), Máximo Méndez (572 points), and Juan Del Río (499 points).
New Coaching Leadership and Early Season Schedule
The national team enters this new phase under revamped technical leadership. Marc Dellenbach will oversee the recurve program in both men’s and women’s divisions, while Karen Montellano takes charge of the compound teams across both branches.
Before launching their World Archery Cup campaigns, the selected archers will travel to the United States to compete in The Vegas Shoot, scheduled from March 27 to 29. That classic indoor event serves as the traditional closing chapter of the indoor season, which recently featured a stop in Mérida, Yucatán. Following the indoor showcase, the squad will prepare to defend home turf at the Archery World Cup in Puebla, Mexico, running from April 7 to 12, 2026.
Official National Team Standings
The complete roster and point distributions from the Phase 4 trials at CNAR are structured across the four core categories:
- Recurvo Femenil: Alejandra Valencia (595 pts), Ángela Ruiz (499 pts), Ana Vázquez (492 pts), Rebeca Márquez (240 pts).
- Recurvo Varonil: Matías Grande (549 pts), Francisco Padilla (492 pts), Juan Téllez (424 pts), Tadeo Rodríguez (368 pts).
- Compuesto Femenil: Maya Becerra (739 pts), Dafne Quintero (636 pts), Adriana Castillo (587 pts), Ana Hernández (510 pts).
- Compuesto Varonil: Sebastián García (700 pts), Rodrigo González (644 pts), Máximo Méndez (572 pts), Juan Del Río (499 pts).
What Comes Next
The newly minted national selection heads straight into final preparations for The Vegas Shoot in late March, setting the stage for the official World Archery season opener in Puebla this April. Share your thoughts on Mexico’s roster outlook for Los Angeles 2028 in the comments below.
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