Olympic contenders: Matias Grande | Les Huit à Paris 2024

This article series, Les Huit à Paris, spotlights eight of the biggest contenders for the individual titles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In just half a year, a 20-year-old from Guanajuato has gone from underdog host-nation invite at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final to runner-up at the Pan American Games to reigning Pan American Champion.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Matias Grande has set new standards for Mexico archery.

And he’s the standout star of a, mostly, youthful team – with a full, six-archer quota, hungry for more Olympic success.

Is it time for a new Mexican superstar? 

Quick stats

• Name: Matias Grande, Mexico
• Age: 20
• World ranking: 17
• Olympic caps: 0
• Instagram: @_matiasgrande_

Why it might happen

Mexican recurve archery is riding high in 2024, after a great result for the men’s team at the final qualification tournament in Antalya – the chicos won – they are one of just seven nations fielding full men’s and women’s teams in Paris.

It’s the first time they’ve sent a full squad since London 2012, when Aida Roman and Mariana Avitia secured those two historic individual medals. (The last time they sent full teams before that? 1972.)

At the final qualifier, Mexico looked out of contention two sets into a quarterfinal against India but fought back from 4-0 down to win in a shoot-off.

The standout member of that team was 20-year-old Matias Grande, one of several young athletes on this list who has hit form at just the right time. When Mexico came to fill its host nation spot for the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Hermosillo, Grande was a presumed also-ran.

He lost to Lee Woo Seok in the first match. As expected.

But then, a switch flicked. He was runner-up at the Pan Am Games right at the end of 2023, then he won the Pan Am Championships at the start of the 2024 season. A week later, he shot a 695-point qualifying round, setting a new Mexican record, and he’s been ducking and weaving in the match brackets.

Is Grande an individual threat in Paris? Sure.

Is Mexico a bigger threat in the mixed team event, definitely. Matias is the perfect replacement for Luis Alvarez, after he and Alejandra Valencia took bronze in Tokyo.

Both Grande’s parents are psychologists. He’s got a level head – and he’s talented.

Why it might not

All of Matias’ big results have come in the Americas – and he still hasn’t proven himself against the best European and Asian talent.

Matias’s individual placings on the Hyundai Archery World Cup this year have been less than spectacular. (Unlike most other competitions he’s entered.) He’s exited mostly to more experienced hands and not made a final four.

But most people do best at their first Olympics.

He‘s shown, much like contemporary and defending champion Mete Gazoz, an ability to peak at the events that matter most. That will be necessary in Paris.

The easiest event to get a medal in at the Games is team.

Only 12 qualify – and 25% of those climb the podium. The key is qualifying high, top four, and getting a bye into the quarterfinals. If Grande can put down another 690+, it’s possible. If not…

Mexico‘s on the bubble of something big. That bubble may still burst.

Did you know?

Mexico is not the biggest Olympic nation, and took just four bronze medals home from Tokyo across all sports. (Archery, diving, weightlifting and football.)

When Alejandra and Luis’ plane touched down back in Mexico City, it was given a full water salute from the local firefighters.

That’s going to make anyone feel pretty special.