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Denis Castellanos and Ava Jones crowned Pan American barebow champions

28 June 2026

Tlaxcala, Mexico

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Argentina’s Denis Esteban Castellanos won the barebow men’s title at the Tlaxcala 2026 Pan American Championships on Saturday, defeating USA archer Michael Weaver 7-3.

Castellanos was the standout performer on the finals field, following up a commanding 7-1 semifinal victory over Marcus Cooley with another composed display in the gold medal match. The 39-year-old is relatively new to the sport but has already made an impact this season after winning gold at the Santiago 2026 Grand Prix of the Americas.

In the women’s event, 18-year-old Ava Jones claimed the first major international title of her career with a 7-3 victory over defending champion Johana Cindy Czako.

All four semifinalists were from the USA, and Czako once again showed the consistency that earned her the 2024 Pan American title.

Jones, however, held the edge throughout the competition. Already a multiple under-21 world record holder, she shot impressive ends of 30 and 29 in the gold medal match to secure victory.

The barebow finals were preceded by the mixed team medal matches in recurve and compound.

USA added another gold in compound mixed team as Alexis Ruiz and James Lutz defeated Guatemala’s Danica Fránces Barrera Arana and Julio Alfredo Barillas Aragon 157-154 after leading throughout the match.

It was a successful title defence for the USA, who also won the event in 2024 with Ruiz and Isaac Sullivan.

The recurve mixed team final also featured the USA, but Jennifer Mucino and Brady Ellison were unable to build on a strong opening set after Matias Grande and Alejandra Valencia found their rhythm to deliver Mexico’s second gold medal of the championships in front of the home crowd.

The victory marked Valencia’s seventh Pan American Championships gold medal and the 13th medal of her career, having first reached the podium 16 years ago in Guadalajara.

“Hearing everyone shouting, getting excited and singing the national anthem – that was really emotional,” said Valencia.

“Plus, there is the work we’ve been doing together, and it’s a great motivator because those of us who were in this final are surely the ones who will be at the Pan American Games as well.”

Both Grande and Ellison return to action on Sunday, with Grande aiming to defend the recurve men’s individual title he won in Medellin in 2024.

The competition continues with individual finals on Sunday. You can watch the action from Tlaxcala with a subscription to archery+.

Competition concludes on Sunday with the individual finals. Watch the action from Tlaxcala with a subscription to archery+.