The first day of the French Elite archery championships, this Saturday, in Riom, delivered its verdict. The women remain at the foot of the podium, but Romain Fichet from Rio is aiming for the title and Clermontois Thomas Chirault for bronze this Sunday.
A weekend of titles, a weekend of celebration too. The French Elite archery championships, organized this weekend in Riom, do not only honor the future winners known this Sunday at the end of the finals. The French Archery Federation, led by its president Jean-Michel Cléroy, takes the opportunity to honor the French Olympic and Paralympic team on the site of the Riom Regional Archery Center.
This Sunday’s program
The French championships continue this Sunday in Riom. From 12 p.m., mixed doubles compound team finals; 12:45 p.m., individual compound finals; 2:01 p.m., recurve mixed doubles team finals; 2:45 p.m., individual recurve finals.
An excellent attention to conclude a first day which, on a sporting level, also delivered part of the verdict and gave rise to a few surprises. As for the men’s recurve bow, it will be a final between Baptiste Addis (Nîmes), member of the French silver medalist team in Paris, and Romain Fichet (Archers Riomois), back in form at the best time for this home appointment.
At home with the club jersey
“Unlike other archers, I had a complicated season,” admits Romain Fichet. I’m very happy to find myself in the final at home with my club’s jersey. I know I will be more encouraged to go for the title. Since the end of June, I haven’t competed. I came out fourth in the qualifications with 667 points, an average score and I then managed to finish, especially in the semi-final against Thomas.”
Thomas Chirault, the neighbor of Stade Clermontois, will try to win bronze. “With the post-Olympic demands, I have only resumed for a week and at a slow pace,” concedes the silver medalist from Paris. These championships put me back in it one month before the World Cup final in Mexico. I had an exceptional performance in qualifying with 680 points, but it’s a little more complicated on a physical level. The results are good, it’s a weekend to enjoy and share in a different way than on the Champs-Élysées.”
Olympic medalists Lisa Barbelin and Thomas Chirault on tour in Puy-de-Dôme
In the women’s recurve table, Lisa Barbelin (Archers Riomois) left the competition in the quarter-final with a perfect shoot-off arrow from Anaël Coupard (Rennes), the defending champion. The teammates of the individual bronze medalist at the Olympic Games were not happier. After well-managed qualifications, Siham Er’Rahmouni and Aziliz Ramel were eliminated in the round of 16. The title will ultimately be played between Victoria Sébastian from Nîmes and Anaël Coupard from Rennes.
Auvergne Day
Recurve bow women.?Aziliz Ramel (Archers Riomois) eliminated in 8th by Madison Scheppers (Issy), 7-1. Siham Er’Rahoumi (Archers Riomois) eliminated in 8th by Justine Cellier (Compiègne), 7-3. Lisa Barbelin (Archers Riomois), eliminated in the quarter by Anaël Coupart (Rennes), 6-5.
Men’s recurve bow.?Thomas Chirault (Stade Clermontois) eliminated in the semi-finals by Romain Fichet (Archers Riomois) 7-3. Romain Fichet (Archers Riomois) qualified for the final against Baptiste Addis (Nîmes). Maxence Jamot (Archers Riomois) eliminated in 8th by Iban Batideau (Nîmes) 7-1. Yanis Baudain (Archers Riomois) eliminated in the quarter by Alexis Renaudineau (Mornas) 6-2. Thomas Strock-Huttepain (Archers Riomois) eliminated in the 16th minute by Maël Kharchouf (Compiègne), 6-2. Romain Viale (Stade Clermontois) eliminated in 8th by Thomas Chirault (Stade Clermontois) 7-1. Clément Jacquey (Stade Clermontois) eliminated in the 16th minute by Antoine Balanant (Sarcelles) 6-2. Baptiste Thirion (Archers Riomois) eliminated in the 16th minute by Florian Bossard (Issy), 6-4.
Jean-François Nunez
