Archery returns to the South American Youth Games with more than double the participation since its debut edition in Rosario, Argentina, in 2022, highlighting the sport’s steady growth across the continent.
A total of 67 athletes from 12 countries – 35 men and 32 women – will compete across recurve and compound divisions with several youth talents aiming to make a mark in Panama.
Competition will take place from 15-18 April at the Irving Saladino Sports Complex in Panama, marking the first time an international archery event will be hosted at the venue.
Chile and Colombia lead the entries with eight archers each, while host country Panama will field seven.
Athletes will compete at distances of 60 metres in recurve and 50 metres in compound, with 30 medals, including 10 gold, to be awarded across individual, team and mixed team events. The expanded field reflects growing investment and interest in archery across South America as the discipline strengthens its foothold within the Games.
The IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 will run from 12-25 April, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes from the 15 member nations of the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR). Open to competitors aged 14 to 17 (for archery, this corresponds to the under-18 category), the event serves as a key development platform for emerging talent and a pathway toward future international competition.
With the Youth Olympic Games set to take place later this year in Dakar, performances in Panama will provide an early indication of the athletes emerging as contenders on the global stage.
