World number three Valencia was reminded of that feeling at Parque del Este, finally returning to the top of the podium after nearly two years away. Overcoming heavy showers and swirling wind made it even more rewarding – on top of helping her team qualify earlier in the week for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
“More than anything, we came here to get tickets for next year’s Central American Games, to see what the shooting range is like, because this is where the Games are going to be, and to see the Dominican Republic too, because it’s my first time here,” she explained.
Santo Domingo was a return to gold for Valencia. For Mariana Bernal, it was her first taste of it.
World number one Andrea Becerra entered the event as the overwhelming favourite in the compound women’s competition, having just won her second World Cup of the season in Antalya earlier this month. Her 708 in qualification on Thursday only reinforced her status.
But teammate Bernal had other plans.
In another all-Mexican final – and again under heavy rain – Bernal looked the more composed archer, handling the wet conditions with poise and confidence. Even when Becerra, the Berlin 2023 world silver medallist, took the first end 30-29, Bernal didn’t waver.
Twelve 10s (including eight Xs) secured Bernal a convincing 147-142 victory and her maiden individual gold medal on the world stage.
In the compound men’s final, Puerto Rico’s Jean Pizarro Latorre clinched his second gold of the week, having already won the qualification tournament for next year’s Central American and Caribbean Games—also to be held in Santo Domingo.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s Jorge Enriquez edged Cuba’s Olympian Hugo Franco in a shoot-off to win recurve men’s gold.
