Ecuador teenager Rodrigo Bueno, Hernandez lead compound qualification at Santiago 2026
Ecuador’s teenager Blanca Maritza Rodrigo Bueno shot a career-best 699 to top the compound women's qualification on Thursday at the second leg of the 2026 Grand Prix of the Americas which is being held alongside the South American Championships in Santiago, Chile.
The Junior Pan American Games 2025 champion’s score was three points ahead of El Salvador’s Sofia Paiz, the highest ranked player on the field at world number 14, after recording 20x and 31 tens during the 72-arrow qualification round.
In the third place was Paola Corado with 689 ensuring El Salvador top the compound women’s team rankings ahead of Chile.
The compound men qualification saw familiar names at the top, with El Salvador’s most decorated player Roberto Hernandez taking the pole with an impressive 714. He was closely followed by compatriot Douglas Vladimir Nolasco on 712 as the duo guided El Salvador to the top of the team standings.
The archers previously combined to win the compound men's team gold at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
Hernandez and Paiz, meanwhile, also topped the mixed team qualification.
Only four archers crossed the 700-point mark in the qualifying rounds.
The recurve men qualification saw local star and Medellin 2025 South American Championships bronze medallist Andres Gallardo take the pole with 675, seven points ahead of El Salvador’s Ticas Oscar.
Another local favourite Andres Aguilar was sixth with 656 but alongside Gallardo helped Chile secure the top position in the men’s team rankings.
Brazil’s Ana Clara Dias De Carvalho Machado didn’t enjoy the strongest start in Santiago – hitting several sevens in the third end and even missing an arrow in the fourth end – but recovered impressively to lead the recurve women qualification with 619.
The Santiago 2023 Pan American Games silver medallist edged compatriot Graziela Paulino dos Santos who settled on 614.
Competition at the Santiago 2026 Grand Prix of the Americas and the South American Championships continues on Thursday with the elimination rounds.
Top seeds: Santiago 2026 Grand Prix of the Americas
Full results are available on the event page.
- Recurve men: Andres Gallardo, Chile - 675
- Recurve women: Ana Clara Dias De Carvalho Machado, Brazil - 619
- Compound men: Roberto Hernandez, El Salvador - 714
- Compound women: Blanca Maritza Rodrigo Bueno, Ecuador - 699
Top seeds: South American Championships
- Recurve men: Andres Gallardo, Chile - 675
- Recurve women: Ana Clara Dias De Carvalho Machado, Brazil - 619
- Compound men: Mateo Sebastian Oleas Rodriguez, Ecuador - 710
- Compound women: Blanca Maritza Rodrigo Bueno, Ecuador - 699
