Alexis Ruiz of USA once again stood atop the Pan American podium for her second consecutive victory in Tlaxcala.
Ruiz, who won the compound women’s title in Medellín 2024, faced Sara Lopez of Colombia for the gold medal at this year’s Pan American Championships.
Lopez started off with a perfect score and a one-point lead, but Ruiz managed to tie the score in the next end.
In the third end, Lopez regained a one-point lead, which she maintained through the end of the fourth end.
The last three arrows were shot, and the Colombian archer opened with a 9.
Ruiz shot a perfect score, and with another 9 from Lopez, the American retained her Pan American title in both the individual and mixed team events.
Alejandra Usquiano took the bronze medal against Adriana Castillo of Mexico.
Gaius Carter, also from the US, won the Pan American compound men’s title.
In the gold medal match, Carter faced Roberto Hernandez from El Salvador.
Both archers started with perfect scores in the first two ends, but Hernandez lost a point in the third one.
In the fourth end, Carter lost a point, and the score was tied again.
In the fifth and final end, both archers managed to hit a 10, and the victory could have gone either way.
On the Salvadoran’s final arrow, nerves got the better of him, and Hernández shot a 9.
Carter needed a 10 to win, and he got it.
This is Carter’s first individual gold medal in an international competition.
The bronze medal went to Isaac Sullivan, who defeated Canada’s Andrew Fagan in a shoot-off.
Compound Podium
Compuesto women
- Alexis Ruiz (USA)
- Sara López (Colombia)
- Alejandra Usquiano (Colombia)
Compuesto men
- Gaius Carter (USA)
- Roberto Hernández (El Salvador)
- Isaac Sullivan (USA)