The national anthems of Mexico and Colombia rang out on Sunday afternoon at the 2021 Pan American Archery Championships in Monterrey.
Valentina Vázquez beat Maira Sepulveda of Colombia in straights sets, 6-0, to claim the recurve women’s gold and Pan American Championships title on home soil.
“I feel very happy and glad for this title, it’s my first one as a senior. I’m a bit unsatisfied, too, though. I feel I could have adapted better to the wind, but it was very complicated,” said Valentina.
Monterrey was the 18-year-old’s first-ever international tournament as a member of the Mexican senior team. She didn’t disappoint.
Vazquez seeded fourth in qualification with a score of 638 points for the 72-arrow 70-metre ranking round and then beat archers from Argentina, Dominican Republic and Canada to secure her place in the final four, where she faced teammate Ana Paula Vazquez in the semifinals.
Valentina won the match in a shoot-off, nine to eight.
“Winning this wasn’t about who could shoot better but who could control the wind better or who could adapt better to it. I tried to adapt to it as quick as I could, give my best,” she added.
Ana Paula Vazquez won the bronze by defeating Valentina Contreras of Colombia, also in a shoot-off, 10 to 8.
The recurve men’s Championship title was decided between Santiago Arcila of Colombia and Marcus D’Almeida of Brazil.
The match went to five sets with Santiago claiming victory, 6-4.
“I’m very excited, I don’t have many words because of what I’m feeling, it’s one more dream I’ve achieved as an athlete and I’m not too experienced in these elite competitions. I’m very happy,” said Santiago.
Bernardo Oliveira was the third man on the podium. He beat Ricardo Soto of Chile in four sets, 6-2, in the bronze medal match.
The individual recurve finals were the last events of the 2021 Pan American Archery Championships.