Pan American Indoor Champion Angela Ruiz made full use of home advantage to top qualification by just one point in the recurve women’s individual category at the penultimate Indoor World Series event in Merida (Mexico).
Ruiz, the silver medallist at the Nimes Tournament, shot an impressive 590, with 52 of her 60 arrows landing in the 10-ring. USA’s Catalina Gnoriega followed closely on 589, registering 49 arrows in the 10.
Should Ruiz go on to claim victory on home soil, it would consolidate her position in second place in the overall standings.
Competing in her debut Indoor World Series season, the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in the women’s team event has grown in confidence with each stage. Despite not being among the pre-event favourites, the 19-year-old from Saltillo claimed silver behind Victoria Sebastian in Nimes, underlining her rising consistency on the indoor circuit.
Sebastian, chasing a third title of the season following victories at the Taipei Archery Open and in Nimes last month, finished fifth in qualification.
World number three Matias Grande lived up to his billing, claiming the top seed in the recurve men’s qualification. The Pan American Indoor Champion shot 594, with 54 of his 60 arrows landing in the 10-ring.
Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist in the men’s team event Jean-Charles Valladont was three points behind on 591 and will be aiming for his first title of the Indoor World Series season, having previously taken silver at the Taipei Open.
