Who are they? Recurve man from Mexico.
What’s the story? It has been Grande’s best outdoor season yet. The 21-year-old won his first individual Hyundai Archery World Cup medals in 2025 – silver in Shanghai and then gold in Madrid. If you’re only as good as your last event, then the Mexican might just be the grand(e) master of Gwangju.
“I think these days I want to do it (finals) in a different way,” Grande said after his Madrid triumph. “I think in all the scenarios, but I used to start shooting a little bit nervous, a little bit with anxiety. Today when I woke up, I said that it will be different. I didn’t expect a result or a medal. I just want to be happy, to be enjoy it.”
He couldn’t make the top-64 in Berlin two years ago, but after consecutively beating Olympic medallists Brady Ellison, Kim Je Deok and Baptiste Addis this season, he’s definitely in the mix.
What’s the goal? To become Mexico’s first World Archery Champion.
Vital statistics:
- Age: 21
- World ranking: 5
- Best result: Winner at the fourth stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid.
- Instagram: @_matiasgrande_
