Guyana’s Nicholas Hing officiates at Archery World Cup in Mexico

The 20th anniversary of the Hyundai Archery World Cup has long been marked as a milestone for the sport, but for Guyana, the 2026 season opener in Mexico carried a distinct sense of national pride.

As the world’s elite archers descended upon the city of Puebla from April 7-12, Archery Guyana Continental Judge Nicholas Hing stepped onto the field, etching his name into the record books as the first Guyanese official to judge at a World Cup Qualifier event.

The Puebla stage kicked off a high-stakes 2026 circuit. Serving as a crucial Olympic qualifier, the World Cup will traverse five global cities before concluding in September.

Over 30 countries were represented in Puebla, but the action wasn’t limited to those behind the bow.

Hing joined a select team of 16 International and Continental judges, working under the high-pressure leadership of World Archery Americas Secretary General Sergio Font Milian and Deputy Chair Shannon Russel-Cowan.

The life of a judge at this level is a marathon of logistics and technical scrutiny. The week began with grueling equipment and uniform inspections during official practice.

As the tournament shifted into ranking and elimination rounds through Wednesday and Friday, the officiating team held dawn meetings to coordinate the intricate dance of the competition field.

While the archers battled for points, the judges ensured the integrity of every shot. The event wasn’t without its flair, however; Friday’s opening ceremony featured a laser light show and a contortionist archer who famously stunned the crowd by shooting a bow with her feet.

The tournament reached its crescendo over the weekend in the heart of historic downtown Puebla. With the majestic, 450-year-old Cathedral De Puebla serving as a towering backdrop, the medal matches took center stage.

Hing was stationed at the practice field, leading a team of Mexican continental judges to coordinate archers during the high-tension transition periods before and after their televised medal matches. It was a role that required seamless communication and timing, earning Hing and his colleagues a personal “job well done” from World Archery President Greg Easton.

“This Archery World Cup Qualifier will be one of my most memorable experiences, especially working directly under Mr. Sergio Font,” Hing reflected.

“Since becoming a continental judge, I have had the good fortune of working with many wonderful judges from around the world, and this was no different.” (Modified Press Release)