After his hat-trick this week in compound arch, Laurent Clerté will leave the Solomon Islands with a record of thirteen gold medals obtained throughout a career at the Games, which began in 2003, in Fiji. And yet, he was not predestined for discipline.
He never takes off his Australian hat. Perhaps this is the secret of his success? Or is it, more likely, his ability to concentrate, his mind and his experience? In Honiara, Laurent Clerté has already established himself as one of the Cagous who will have marked the 2023 Pacific Games. A victory on Tuesday, in Fita format. Then two more this Friday by team, in duo with Caroline Balber. And in match play in a 100% Caledonian final against Xavier Mangoen.
Caroline Balber and Laurent Clerté, a golden duo after the mixed draw of the Pacific Games in compound arch. • ©Mathieu Ruiz Barraud / NC la 1ère
And yet, it was far from archery that Laurent Clerté began the sport. Like many young people, his sport was football. “I was a libero of the AS Auteuil team and also a coach until I was 28s”, he remembers. But it is his partner who forges his link with archery. “Catherine [Gougeon, coach de l’équipe d’archers classiques] was already doing archery but didn’t want me to come see her, s’amuse l’archer. One day, after stopping football, I went there by surprise and I was immediately interested in the discipline.”
And more specifically attracted to compound bows. “There is a technical spirit, precision. And then, I find the object magnificent.” Immediately, Laurent begins the competition, with a view to traveling. After six months, he qualified for a tournament in New Zealand, midway through the 1990s. The machine was launched, even if we had to wait until 2003 to see Cagou finally selected for the Caledonian team.
A thunderous debut since he won four gold medals in Fiji in 2003, then three in Samoa four years later, two at home in 2011 and finally another in Apia, again, in 2019. Before this hat-trick at the Games from the Pacific to the Solomon Islands. “In four years, if the form and the points follow, I will sign again for Tahiti”, s’amuse Laurent.
A hat-trick that he would never have imagined when he returned from Apia four years ago. At the time, he was injured and distanced himself from the discipline. “I stopped after Samoa because of a shoulder problem, but I was motivated by Henry Shiu [en argent en individuel aux Salomo]explains Laurent. I would also say that this break re-motivated me. There was a weariness that had set in.”
Gold awarded to Laurent Clerté in match play in the compound bow category. • ©Mathieu Ruiz Barraud / NC la 1ère
Archery plays an important place in the life of Laurent Clerté. That of his wife, Catherine, who has been shooting since she was ten. But also in those of his sons, Anthony and Illian. The first was also a team gold medalist at the 2011 Pacific Games in Nouméa. The arc, a whole life. At 52 years old, Laurent Clerté is also a bow hunter, when he is not a gold hunter.
2023-11-24 02:23:09
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