Debut World Games title for Mexico’s Miguel Becerra

Miguel Becerra is compound men’s champion at the World Games. The Mexican archer defeated France’s Jean Philippe Boulch, 147-146, in a final held in humid conditions after edging ahead in the fourth end. Canada’s former world champion Christopher Perkins won bronze.

“I am speechless,” said a crying Becerra, clearly overcome with emotion. “There was a lot of work behind that medal. It is the best day of my life. I was shaking a lot but I knew I had to do the same work that I did in all the competitions.”

It is a huge result for Mexican archery and Becerra’s first big win. Both finalists were making their debut appearances at the World Games and had seeded fourth and sixth, respectively – Boulch shooting a season-best 710 and Becerra shooting a career-best 708 points in qualifying.

After making the final fours today following yesterday’s extended eliminations session, both won their semifinals by two points. Boulch came from behind to beat Abhishek Verma, 143-141, and Becerra upset Perkins, 147-145.

“If you said a week ago I would finish second, I would say ‘yes’. Now it is ‘no’,” said Boulch when asked if he was satisfied with his silver medal. “I was feeling good but I shot one nine more than Miguel. That’s a silver medal. It is still good. I made a little mistake. It is my fault.”

There will be no rest for Becerra, as almost as soon as he leaves the podium he will return to the arena for the compound mixed team bronze medal match (with country and club teammate – but no relation, Andrea Becerra) against India.

Canada’s Perkins won the World Archery Championships in 2011. You’ll now more often find him on the professional 3D course in the USA – like Paige Pearce, who’s ventured into that discipline in 2022.

Like Pearce earlier this morning, he followed up his semifinal disappointment with a bronze-medal-match win to seal a place on the podium, beating India’s Verma, 148-145, after registering three 30s compared to just one from the Asian shooter.

“I’m super-satisfied with third place here in my first World Games,” said the 30-year-old. It’s his first individual medal in World Archery competition since that championship crown 11 years ago.

“In my semifinals match, there’s a couple of arrows there that just kind of had me puzzled a little bit,” he said.

“I didn’t think it would do too much… the flags weren’t really moving. I talked to a couple of others. The temperature and the humidity is playing a big factor here.”

Verma still has a shot at securing India’s first-ever archery medal at the World Games.

He’ll face Mexico in the compound mixed team bronze medal match in less than 40 minutes, lining up alongside doubles partner Jyothi Surekha Vennam.

Competition continues at the World Games with compound mixed team medal matches on Saturday afternoon.

Podium: 2022 World Games

Check full results on the World Archery website.

Compound men

1. Miguel Becerra, Mexico
2. Jean Philippe Boulch, France
3. Christopher Perkins, Canada