On Saturday, the French team won two recurve titles with Lisa Barbelin and Clément Jacquey during the European Indoor Archery Championships.
In recurve men, the Franco-French duel was particularly awaited between Jean-Charles Valladont and Clément Jacquey. He turned in favor of the young Belfortain who offers himself his first major title at 22 years old while the Nîmes recovers the silver after his bronze medal obtained in 2017 in Vittel (France). The first end however turned to the advantage of Jean-Charles Valladont who scored 30 points against 29 for his teammate. Reverse scenario on the second end where Clément Jacquey comes back to score by winning 30 to 29 before repeating on the third and fourth ends to win the victory. Impressive with 119 points out of 120, Clément Jacquey left no room for the Nîmes who had to settle for the silver medal.
In recurve women, Lisa Barbelin is crowned European indoor champion. The French managed to get out of a particularly disputed match with the Italian Vanessa Landi. From the start of the match, the Frenchwoman took the lead 2 sets to 0 with a 29-point end. The two women then shared the second set before the Italian came back tied at 3 sets everywhere. A particularly hard-fought match with a new split on the fourth end before Lisa Barbelin won the final end, synonymous with victory 6-4. This gold medal allows the Riomoise to achieve the double in individual, European champion outdoors and European champion indoors.
France 4th European nation
In the race for the gold medal, Jean-Philippe Boulch was opposed to Mike Schloesser nicknamed, Mr Perfect. After a first end of 30 all, it was the Dutchman who took the lead 30-29 in the second end, then 29-29 in the third. Despite two last ends at 30 points, the archer from Rueil Malmaison will not be able to come back to score. The French lost 148 points to 149 and had to settle for a nice silver medal. Facing the Turkish Demir Elmaagacli, the French Nicolas Girard did not do half the job. Imperturbable from start to finish of the match, he pulled off the perfect score with 150 points out of 150 and logically won the victory. Opposite, Elmaagacli was unable to maintain the same level of performance and achieved 146 points. After being medalist in 2017 in the juniors, Girard offers himself the podium in senior with a bronze medal.
First to enter the competition, Sophie Dodémont achieves a difficult first end with 28 points before chaining the ends to 29 points. The French finally bows 145 to 144 points. He didn’t miss much to catch the Russian Alexandra Savenkova in this match for the bronze medal. Dodémont finishes at the foot of the podium. The French delegation left this indoor European championship with 6 medals (3 in gold, 1 in silver and 1 in bronze). The Blues finish 4th in the nations ranking.
