Aida Roman made history for Mexico at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Competing in her second Olympics after Beijing 2008, the 24-year-old shot high qualification scores and advanced to the individual semifinals. Her victory, 6-4, over teammate and friend Mariana Avitia ensured Aida would collect at least the silver medal.
Minutes after Avitia won the bronze medal over the 1992 Olympic team bronze medallist Khatuna Lorig, Aida entered the field for the gold medal match against Korean Ki Bo Bae.
Photo right: El Economista
The Mexican athlete had won medals in continental events several times, but it was her first final on the world stage. She pushed the world number two to her limits. After drawing 5-all across five sets, the Olympic title was decided in a tiebreaker shoot-off. The Korean shot first and hit a disappointing eight. The pressure was heavy on Aida’s shoulders… and she took what seemed like an age to release the match-deciding arrow.
It veered left and landed further out from the middle, also in the 8-ring.
Aida left London with silver, teammate Mariana Avitia with bronze – the pair securing one of Mexican archery’s finest hours, winning the first two Olympic archery medals for their country.
It was announced last week that Roman, who combines being an elite sportswoman with her university studies, received the “Premio Nacional de Deportes” (National Sports Award) 2012 for her Olympic achievement. The award was presented on 2 December 2012 by the President of Mexico Enrique Pena Neito, during a ceremony in his official residence and office Los Pinos.
