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Preview: Regional stars return to Santiago in pursuit of continental glory

16 May 2026

Santiago, Chile

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Seasoned and emerging archers from across the continent will compete for honours at the South American Championships, held alongside the second leg of the 2026 Grand Prix of the Americas in Santiago, Chile, from 20-23 May.

Held annually, the South American Championships return following last year’s edition in Medellín, Colombia, which was staged alongside a world ranking event. With the Lima 2027 Pan American Games on the horizon – and potentially serving as part of the qualification pathway to the LA28 Olympic Games – the competitions in Santiago offer valuable preparation and international exposure.

A total of 88 archers – 57 men and 31 women – representing national teams, clubs and athletes from South America, Central America, North America and Asia will compete across recurve, compound and barebow divisions for both continental and Grand Prix honours.

While only South American member associations are eligible for the continental championships, the Grand Prix of the Americas remains open to all participants.

Host nation Chile leads the entries with 17 archers, followed by El Salvador with 12, while Brazil and Peru each field 10 athletes.

Sofia Paiz, silver medallist at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai Archery World Championships, is among the standout names in the field. She is joined by compatriot Roberto Hernandez, El Salvador’s most decorated compound archer.

The host nation’s medal hopes will rest largely on Olympians Andres Gallardo and Andres Aguilar, with Aguilar arriving in Santiago fresh from gold at the opening leg of the Grand Prix of the Americas in San Salvador.

Competition will take place at Santiago’s National Stadium Complex, the state-of-the-art venue that previously hosted the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

Key information

What’s happening? The South American Championships are being held alongside the second leg of the Grand Prix of the Americas at the National Stadium Complex in Santiago, Chile, from 20-23 May.

What’s at stake? Continental titles, alongside individual and team honours across recurve, compound and barebow competition, and world ranking points.

Who’s competing? A total of 88 archers (57 men and 31 women) from the national teams and clubs representing Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, India, Korea, Mexico, Peru, the USA and Uruguay are registered to compete.

What’s the story? The competition offers valuable preparation and international exposure ahead of major events, including the Lima 2027 Pan American Games.