Mexican Archers secure Bronze, Marking latin America’s First Medal in Paris 2024
The Mexican archery trio of Alejandra Valencia, Ana Paula Vázquez, and Ángela Ruiz have etched their names in history, capturing the bronze medal in the women’s team event at the Paris Olympics. This achievement places Mexico alongside archery powerhouses South Korea and China on the podium, while simultaneously marking Latin America’s first medal in the 2024 Games.
Entering the tournament as favorites, the Mexican team showcased their prowess by defeating Germany 5-1 in the quarterfinals. Their semifinal clash against China proved to be a nail-biting encounter, with both teams displaying remarkable precision. Ultimately,the Chinese archers emerged victorious with a narrow 5-3 win.
Undeterred, the Mexican trio regrouped and faced off against the Netherlands in the bronze medal match.Adding a layer of intrigue to the contest was Gabriela Schloesser, a tijuana native who chose to represent the netherlands. In a thrilling four-set battle, the Mexicans prevailed 6-2, sealing their victory with three consecutive perfect 10s.
This bronze medal marks Mexico’s first in Paris 2024 and adds to the country’s impressive archery legacy. As the sport gained popularity in the 2000s,Mexico has secured four Olympic medals in archery. Aída Román’s silver medal in London 2012 paved the way, followed by Mariana Avitia’s bronze in the same Games. In Tokyo 2020, Alejandra Valencia and Luis Álvarez clinched bronze in the mixed team event, defeating Turkey. This latest triumph brings Mexico’s total Olympic medal count to 74.
Alejandra Valencia, sporting her signature fisherman’s hat, has now become a two-time olympic medalist. Her journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Her debut at the 2012 London Games, at the tender age of 17, proved to be a challenging experience. “There were high expectations as I had won at the Pan American Games [in Guadalajara 2011]. I was very young and nervous about everything happening around me,” Valencia recalled. She reached the semifinals in Rio 2016 but narrowly missed out on a bronze medal. These experiences served as valuable lessons, propelling her to secure medals in both Tokyo and Paris.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Ángela Ruiz, who turned 18 on july 28th, received the perfect birthday gift – an Olympic bronze medal. The young prodigy from Saltillo, Coahuila, has benefited from the guidance and experience of her veteran teammates, Alejandra Valencia (Hermosillo, Sonora) and Ana paula Vázquez (Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila).
“Before launching my first arrow, Alejandra woudl tell me, ‘Do it as you’ve been doing.Don’t overcomplicate things. You can do it. We’re here, and we’re going to do well,'” Ruiz shared in a recent interview with Olympics.Vázquez,reflecting on her journey,admitted to past struggles with burnout and the pressure to win.”I neglected my body in pursuit of staying at the top and didn’t listen to its needs,” she confessed on social media. “I love archery more than I thought, and now I realise I don’t do it for a medal. I lost my way for a while and started prioritizing winning over the joy of the sport.” Now, with a renewed focus on both physical and mental well-being, Vázquez can celebrate this historic achievement alongside her teammates, becoming role models for aspiring athletes in Mexico and beyond.
Welcome back, everyone, adn what a thrilling start to the archery competition here at the Paris 2024 Olympics! Today we witnessed history in the making as the Mexican women’s archery team secured the bronze medal, becoming the first Latin American nation to clinch a medal at these Games. [
This is a truly remarkable achievement for Alejandra Valencia, Ana Paula Vázquez, and Ángela Ruiz.Their grit, precision, and unwavering focus were on full display throughout the tournament. They dominated their quarterfinal match against Germany, showcasing the talent that earned them the “favorites” label coming into Paris. [
While their semi-final match against[the article cuts off here and the name of the opponent is not provided]was a tough loss, their ability to bounce back and claim bronze against fierce competition is a testament to their resilience and determination.
This victory resonates far beyond the archery range. It’s a moment of pride for Mexico and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across Latin America. It proves that with dedication and unwavering belief, dreams can be realized on the biggest stage in the world.
Let’s give a huge round of applause to the Mexican archery team for their historic achievement! Now, let’s look forward to the rest of the archery competition, which promises to be just as exciting.
