Reo back in Mexico 10 years after World Cup victory

Ten years on from that first victory at the circuit’s first World Cup Final, Reo Wilde’s back in Mexico to shoot for his sixth appearance at the event.

The Archery World Cup Finals in ’06 weren’t held in Mexico City, like the 2015 edition, but at Merida. Wilde beat Peter Elzinga in the final, shooting a then perfect score of 120 out of 120 at 70 metres. The compound competition, 10 years later, has matches decided at 50-metres and over 15 arrows.

“It’s different. The competition is getting better and better all the time, the events getting better – and there’s more money involved in the sport,” said Reo. “It has grown.”

Over the last 10 years, much has changed in the 15-arrow match world record holder’s life, too. He’s been married for nearly a decade, has two children and, in his own words: “It’s a different me, between now and then.”

If all this has changed, much then has remained the same.

Reo Wilde is still one of the best compound archers in the world – and he has been for the entire time. His recognisable shooting style, too, has remained.

“My technique hasn’t changed a lot. Equipment has changed so I’ve had to grow with the equipment but for the most part I think I look like I did 10 years ago,” he said.

“It’s really cool to be back in Mexico, too. The funny part is that my first time in Mexico was the first time my wife came to an archery tournament with me, so to have her back here is kind of cool.”

Reo’s ’06 win came in the Mayapan Pyramids in Merida, the ’15 Finals in the country’s iconic Zócalo square, both surrounded by the history ingrained in Mexico.

“It’s beautiful. The venue is amazing – and to take gold here, it would be huge because my wife is with me,” he said.

“It would be something really special.”