It too was a gold medal match at the Copa Merengue event in Dominican Republic back in June, ending at 147-142.
Primarily a continental Americas event, it was a lesser competition than the ultimatum of archery’s premier international circuit yes, but Bernal’s ability to overcome Becerra should never have been completely out of the question.
She’s proven to herself it can be done and that undoubtedly gave her a quiet confidence before heading on the stage.
As well as the wave of relief, pride and joy, Bernal’s emotions resemble the meaning of comeback. In 2023 – her previous season on the national team, the Mexican excruciatingly suffered bursitis – an inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint – an injury all archers dread.
“My tendons were really thin and they were broken,” she revealed. “There was a time where I couldn’t even hold a glass of water so, I had to go through a lot of therapy.”
“I went a lot to the gym and it was little by little because I literally started from zero so, being here, it’s just amazing and, winning? It’s a dream.”
Being at the top in sport is amazing but it’s how you get there that truly defines you as a world class athlete and a person.
Getting bronze in Florida, the 2018 Pan American Championships and then gold in Copa Merengue always suggested Bernal to be a more than capable shooter. But after a whirlwind couple of years, climbing on top of the podium in Nanjing today however painted her to be a fighter, not just an archer.
Becerra on the other hand was understandably upset post-medal ceremony but she too leaves the 2025 outdoor season with her head held high, to what she called the “best year of my life.”
She’ll be back.
