Sebastian Garcia is in the form of his life, both with bow in hand and personally

Just over a year ago at Central Florida 2025, Sebastian Garcia had made his biggest breakthrough yet since his World Cup debut at Gwangju 2022.

On stage one of the 2025 circuit, the 25 year old compound men archer reached the gold medal match, only falling short to Mathias Fullerton 148-144 whilst still gaining his maiden individual medal on the sport’s premier international circuit.

It was a joyous moment but a time tinged with sadness as his beloved grandfather had passed away not long before Florida.

12 months later in Puebla however - stage one of the 2026 Hyundai World Cup - Garcia is enjoying his career-best form and most memorable period of his life.

Mexico’s team trials in early March ahead of the 2026 outdoors season, Garcia – nicknamed “Bachan” by teammates – created another hallmark of his career by bettering Braden Gellenthien’s 50m world record of 718 with 719, albeit it is not officially recognised by World Archery as the trials were not registered on the international calendar.

“That day I woke up way earlier; I couldn’t sleep,” said Garcia on what he was going through before dropping 71 out of 72 arrows in the 10-ring. “I didn’t feel like I could shoot 719, but I wanted to shoot a 360 [out of 36 arrows]. I was really close the day before and had never done it before.” 

“My fifth end ended with a nine, and I thought 359 is fine, but 360 again. After finishing my 15 arrows, I thought about last year—how nervous I got and how my shot was slower - so I made my release a little lighter, even if I could pull hard, it wouldn’t take long to do the shot.” 

“My first three arrows were really good then I remembered where I had failed last time - I couldn’t fail now. When I shot my last arrow and checked my scope, everybody was cheering. It was really, really good.”

As equipment and popularity continually grow in the compound discipline, it feels as if it is only a matter of time before the perfect 720 is struck at 50 metres and Garcia is the closest so far.

That may come as a surprise as the 2024 Pan American champion is outside of the top 10 rankings in 16th with the likes of number one Mike Schloesser and number two Fullerton dominating outdoor settings in recent years and France’s Nicolas Girard becoming World champion last year.

He of course needed to put in the work to make that happen but gaining insightful knowledge off the new Vegas Shoot compound women victor Ella Gibson has undoubtedly benefitted him.

The couple have been together since the latter half of 2025 and Garcia credits much of his improved bow set up in the build up to the trials and the World Cups to the former world number one. 

“Ella has taught me a lot of stuff in the bow that I could do by myself now. So even though she wasn't with me, sometimes I would ask her, ‘Hey, this is happening, please help me,’ but [now] most of the time I can do it by myself, so it’s been easier than other years, I think.”

“Mostly my drawing, my poundage, the holding weight, the timing in my cams - all of that affects how I aim, how they land, how much I move my rest, all of that,” he responded when asked whaty exactly Gibson has aided him in. “Also for outdoors now I am shooting a 37 bow, and for indoors I was shooting a 40-inch bow, so that was also different. I had to move weight, it was complicated, but I think my setup was good.” 

“Honestly, I think it's the best one I've ever had.”

Garcia’s recent improvements have also come from regular words of belief from his girlfriend and his parents.

The 23 year old archer originates from Mexico’s northern state of Coahuila but due to an increased indoor schedule - where he competed in more Indoor World Series competitions than ever before – and the national training camps often based 1000 kilometres south of his home in Mexico City - he hasn’t spent as much time with his family as previously.

But they’re encouragement is still carrying its weight when he walks onto the shooting line.

He thanked his parents in his Instagram post after Vegas - where he missed out on the championship shootdown with an 899 – for believing in him “even though sometimes I don't” and knows they’re confidence is perhaps the last missing ingredient for him to incorporate in his mental game to go the next level at major competitions.

“For a while now I always have a chat with my parents before competing, not every day, but most of the days and they have always told me that I am able to win a World Cup, to do a record.”

“It's of course easier to say than doing it, but I think that was the exact thing that proves me that I need to believe more in myself because after that [his sole nine at Vegas], every shot felt way easier.” 

“Of course, you already shot the nine, so it's easier but I was more concentrated on my technique, on what I was doing, and it was easier, way, way easier.”

The week in Puebla has started fairly well so far for Garcia. Although he would’ve wanted better than 690 from qualifications on Tuesday, he defeated Kushal Dalal 149-146 in the second round of eliminations and won bronze with Juan Del Rio and Lot Máximo Méndez Ortiz in the compound men's team on Wednesday morning.

So far so good but if Garcia is to go one better than what he did this time last year in Florida, it is the lack of confidence in himself that he will need to conquer.

To attain his career-first individual World Cup gold on home soil would be special for him but whatever happens this week in Puebla - the first stage of the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup stage - Garcia is still happy with his development the last 12 months and enjoying the best period of his life, shooting and personal wise.

“I’ve had someone teach me a lot of stuff I didn’t know. Some people believe in me—like my parents, who always encourage me to do more. I think that’s what has helped me the most.”

“I don’t see my parents that much, but it’s because of all of this. In the end, they understand and know what’s happening.”

“It’s the best I’ve ever been, and they are with me in spirit, even if they’re at home with work and of course, there is Ella.” 

“In my personal life, having Ella is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.”

“By now, it’s the best I’ve ever been,” he concluded.