Tlaxcala, Mexico to host 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final

The Mexican city of Tlaxcala has been revealed as the host of this season’s 16th edition of the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

Set to take place on 15-16 October 2022, it marks the third time that the country will hold archery’s annual season-ending event, following the inaugural competition in Merida in 2006 and then Mexico City in 2015. 

Only 32 of the season’s very best archers attend the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final, eight in each of the four competition categories. There are men’s and women’s events for recurve archers, the discipline at the Olympics, and compound archers, the discipline included at the World Games.

Athletes qualify by winning stages of the international circuit, which take place across Europe, Asia and the Americas in 2022, in the cities of Antalya (Turkey), Gwangju (Korea), Paris (France) and Medellin (Colombia) from April to July.

There are also a handful of tickets available through ranking points and, as the host country, Mexico is guaranteed a representative in each of the four competitions.

This year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup boasts the circuit’s largest-ever prize fund, with more than 320,000 CHF on offer – and more than 200,000 CHF of that set to be awarded in Tlaxcala.

The four 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Champions will each take home 28,000 CHF.

The reigning Hyundai Archery World Cup Champions, who were crowned in Yankton at the end of 2021, are Jack Williams, Lisa Unruh, Mike Schloesser and Sara Lopez.

Mexico qualified two archers to the season-ending event last year: Olympian Ana Vazquez and world medallist Andrea Becerra. Both were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The host country of this year’s event does boast a former circuit champion.

Olympic silver medallist Aida Roman won the Archery World Cup Final in 2014 when it was held in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Compound archer Linda Ochoa-Anderson, who hails from Mexico but moved to represent the USA ahead of last season, medalled in a Mexican shirt in both 2015 and 2018, while Juan Rene Serrano was also runner-up back in 2007.

Mexico’s Luis Alvarez and Alejandra Valencia recently won the bronze medal in the first-ever Olympic mixed team event at Tokyo 2020.

Tlaxcala, officially Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, is the capital of the state of Tlaxcala and one of the oldest colonial cities in Mexico, situated just over 100km east of the country’s capital, Mexico City.

World Archery President Prof Dr Ugur Erdener said: “Mexico has developed into one of the leading archery nations in the Americas – and the world – over the past decade. Fresh off a mixed team medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Mexican archery team has never been more popular.”

“We’re excited to put on another incredible show for the passionate local public, start a strong partnership with the Mexican government, and leverage our ongoing relationship with Claro Sports to put archery in the spotlight in Mexico once again.”

Mexican Minister of Sports Ana Guevara said: “The government of Mexico is committed to building a long-term relationship with World Archery, investing in the sport domestically and putting the focus on our nation’s talented athletes and coaches.”

“As part of this strategy, Mexico will host major archery events in the upcoming years that will inspire new generations and provide the opportunity for Mexican athletes to compete in front of home crowds. We believe in the power that sport has to change lives and Mexico looks forward to welcoming the international archery community this October.”

Tlaxcala Governor Lorena Cuéllar said: “It is an honour, privilege and joy to have been selected to host the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in 2022. Sport fosters values and strength, tempering talent in competition and setting an example for young people and in our wider society.”

“We guarantee that everyone who attends will experience one of the distinctive characteristics of Tlaxcala: the hospitality and warmth of our people. Tlaxcala awaits you with open arms!”