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Colombia qualifies first-ever men’s team to the Olympics

14 April 2024

Medellin, Colombia

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Colombia wins the 2024 Pan American Championships.

Santiago Arcila, Andrés Hernandez and Jorge Enriquez beat Canada in a shoot-off to secure the Pan American Champion title and qualify a Colombian recurve men’s team to the Olympic Games for the first time in history.

“I’m really emotional right now because the performance of the team was on point,” said Arcila, who had tears across his face after delivering the winning arrow to take the tiebreak, 28-25.

“Few people have seen me cry but today is different because we achieved a goal, not only personal but a team one.”

“Thanks to everyone and we are so looking forward to preparing for the biggest event.”

The Colombian men started well, shooting a nine and two 10s to open the match, but soon 16-year-old Hernandez began to struggle, shooting several reds, and the home team fell behind.

Canada had a comprehensive lead after two sets, at 4-0. Colombia’s chances looked bleak.

But in the third set, the pressure began to affect former world championship medallist Crispin Duenas. Now a full-time teacher, part-time archer, the lack of competition practice showed. Close-ups on his clicker on the broadcast showed Duenas struggle to execute – and a seven released all the pressure.

Colombia surged in the fourth, Hernandez finally finding the middle again, to force the tiebreak, 58 points to 54.

Santiago Arcila delivers the winning arrow for Colombia.

The momentum had shifted.

Devaang Gupta’s shoot-off starter, a nine, was upped by Enriquez’s first 10. Duenas, up second, held far too long. His arrow fell low and left… another seven.

Hernandez put down a nine. World championship runner-up Eric Peters anchored for Canada, delivering a nine, but the match was already over. In possession a four-point buffer, with the home crowd holding their breath, Arcila hit gold to seal the historic result for Colombia.

“The chemistry we have as a team is incredible,” said Enriquez. “We got it, we made history and the best is still to come.”

Colombia’s Olympic quota upgrades to a team and the individual spot that Arcila won earlier this week is returned and reallocated to the bronze medallist in the continental qualifier, Argentina’s Mario Jajarabilla.

Competition continues with recurve finals in Medellin.

Coverage is available to watch worldwide with a subscription to archery+.