Aida Roman: A Journey Fueled by Passion, Perseverance, and Precision

My name is Aida Roman, and my story begins in the heart of Mexico City. At the age of 10, I picked up a bow and arrow for the first time—alongside my three brothers and my dad—under the guidance of Aurora Breton, the only Mexican archer at the time to have competed in four Olympic Games. Archery quickly became a family affair and a personal calling.

Back then, we learned that the path to the Olympics was through recurve archery. Compound archery opportunities were limited and expensive, often requiring relocation or access to private clubs—luxuries we couldn’t afford. With four archers in one household, the costs added up fast.

For the next eight years, I trained recreationally, practicing archery three to four times a week for two to three hours at a time. My evenings were spent either on the archery range or on the basketball court, while mornings were dedicated to school—always a top priority in our household. I also participated in other sports to sharpen both my physical and mental skills, unknowingly laying a foundation that would carry me into the elite levels of archery.

Everything changed in November 2006 when I got a call from the Mexican Archery Federation inviting me to a training camp in China. That call marked the beginning of my career on the national team and led to my debut at the Pan American Games, where I earned a silver medal—the first individual medal for Mexico in that event. Just two months later, I qualified for my first Olympic Games.

Breaking Barriers on the Olympic Stage

In 2008, I stepped onto the Olympic stage in Beijing. Although I was eliminated in the 1/8 round, the experience lit a fire in me. I came home more determined than ever and began preparing for the next Olympic cycle. Around the same time, I enrolled in psychology classes—something I enjoyed deeply and that provided tools to strengthen my mental game.

Leading up to the London 2012 Olympics, our team qualified after a high-pressure competition. We entered the Games ranked fourth as a team and eleventh individually. We suffered a disappointing team loss to Japan, but there was no time to dwell on it—the individual rounds were next, and I was ready.

The next days were filled with intense focus and emotional highs. I advanced to the semifinals and shared the Olympic stage with my teammate Mariana Avitia. Before leaving the Olympic Village, we had promised each other we’d meet in the semis—and we did. That moment, competing side by side for our country, is one I’ll never forget. Together, we made history: Mariana won bronze, and I took home the silver. It was the first time Mexico had ever won two Olympic archery medals. Life changed overnight.

Champion Beyond the Olympics

The momentum didn’t stop there. In 2014, I became the first Mexican archer to win an Indoor World Championship, and later that year, I won the World Cup Final, another first for Mexico. I even received the Longines Prize for Precision for scoring the most 10s during the season. That year, I was named Athlete of the Year in Mexico—an honor I will always treasure.

I went on to compete in two more Olympics—Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020—each with its own set of challenges. The Tokyo Games, in particular, were shaped by the uncertainty of a global pandemic. We trained under lockdown conditions, not knowing if the Olympics would even happen. While the results weren’t what we’d hoped for, the experience was a testament to resilience.

A New Chapter: Sharing the Passion

In 2024, I placed fourth in national team trials, narrowly missing a spot on the Olympic team. But rather than seeing it as an end, I embraced it as a new beginning. I accepted an offer to work as a commentator for Claro Sports, sharing my love of archery with viewers across Mexico.

Even more unexpectedly, I was given the opportunity to coach at NEYAC (NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center)—a dream I hadn’t anticipated becoming reality so soon. Coaching has been a powerful new way to stay connected to the sport I love and to give back to the next generation of archers.

Full Circle

Archery has shaped every chapter of my life. It has introduced me to incredible people, taken me to stunning places, and taught me lessons in discipline, humility, and courage. Though I’ve stood on Olympic podiums, earned world titles, and lived out dreams I once thought impossible, the most rewarding part has been the journey itself—and the chance to share it with others.

I’m grateful for every arrow, every obstacle, and every opportunity. Because through it all, archery has been more than just a sport—it’s been my way of life.