Becerra “stronger than ever” after first career pole in Shanghai

A career day for Andrea Becerra at the Hyundai Archery World Cup season opener in Shanghai as the Mexican 23-year-old shot 713 points for the 72-arrow 50-metre qualifying round and booked a top seed for the first time since her international debut in 2018.

“Mexico, as a team, is stronger than ever,” she said after the session. “We have been shooting at such a high level and I hope that will carry us to the World Cup Final.”

For the third consecutive year, the tour’s grand finale will take place in Mexico – and, for the second time in three years, in Tlaxcala.

“I was focused on getting the top spot in qualification. I really wanted it,” she said.

Runner-up at the World Archery Championships last year in Berlin, Andrea – better known among her team and on the line as Maya – has produced match results, but has never been a high qualifier. Her season highs over the last four years all float around 700.

But she was chasing the world record for a while today, the chance only slipping away with a fifth dropped point in the third-to-last end.

“My nines were only just out,” she said.

Becerra finished fourth at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Tlaxcala two years ago, when she went as a host nation invite. Maya has no interest in waiting for a ticket this time around.

“I want a spot at the World Cup Final.”