Roberto Hernandez to carry El Salvador’s flag at 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games
Carrying El Salvador's flag is a responsibility Roberto Hernandez has experienced before.
Seven years after leading his country into the opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, the most decorated Salvadoran archer will once again have that honour when he marches alongside Taekwondo athlete Alisson Montano as the nation's flag bearers at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
"I'm very proud and excited to have the honour of carrying my country's flag at the opening ceremony," Hernandez told World Archery. "Of course, I'm grateful to have been chosen."
For the 37-year-old compound archer, the moment is every bit as meaningful as it was in Lima.
"Yes, I also had the honour of carrying the flag at the 2019 Pan American Games," he said.
"It's always a special feeling and a great honour to be the flag bearer. Lima was especially meaningful because it was my first time. But this one is no less special because there are many teammates in my country who could also receive this honour. Thankfully, the level of sport in El Salvador is rising significantly, so it remains very special to me."
Ranked world number 21, he became the first Salvadoran man to win a gold medal at the Pan American Games when he claimed the compound men's title in Lima in 2019.
He is also the reigning Central American and Caribbean Games champion after winning gold in Barranquilla in 2018 and has collected multiple medals on the continental stage throughout his career.
Santo Domingo 2026 will mark another milestone in Hernandez's remarkable journey, as this will be his fifth consecutive appearance at the regional event.
He also heads into Santo Domingo in strong form. Earlier this year, Hernandez won mixed team gold at the Grand Prix of the Americas in San Salvador and topped the compound men's qualification round on home soil.
The Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games will be held from 24 July to 8 August in the Dominican Republic, bringing together more than 6,000 athletes from 37 delegations in the centenary edition of the regional multi-sport event.
As El Salvador's flag bearer, Hernandez will lead his country's athletes into the opening ceremony before turning his attention to the competition.
"I want to enjoy the competition," he said. "I know that if I manage to enjoy it, it can be a great event. My approach is to enjoy myself and remember that I'm doing this because I love it and because it brings me satisfaction."
The archery competition at the Santo Domingo 2026 Games gets underway on 24 July.
