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.
