French Archers dominate Recurve Men’s Division at European Indoor Championships
The french men’s recurve archery team secured a resounding victory at the European Indoor Championships in Lasko, slovenia, claiming the coveted gold medal. This triumph marks a significant milestone for the team, ending a 15-year drought since their last European title in Turin, 2008.
The trio of Thomas Chirault, Jean-Charles Valladont, and Clément Jacquey delivered a masterful performance in the final, showcasing exceptional precision and composure. They instantly seized control of the match against Belarus, firing a perfect first end with a string of 10s, setting the tone for their dominance.
Maintaining their relentless pressure, the French archers continued their impressive run, securing a second set with a remarkable 60 points. This commanding lead propelled them to a 4-0 advantage, ultimately culminating in a decisive 6-0 victory. Their performance was nothing short of exceptional, with an astonishing 17 out of 18 arrows finding the bullseye, a testament to their skill and unwavering focus.
This gold medal marks the first for France at the 2023 European Indoor championships.
Mixed Results for french Archers in Other Categories
While the men’s recurve team celebrated their victory, other French squads faced varying fortunes.
In the women’s recurve division, Mélanie Gaubil, Anaëlle Florent, and Lisa Barbelin battled valiantly for the bronze medal against Russia. However, the Russian team proved too strong, securing the third-place finish.
The compound bow team, the reigning champions, faced an uphill battle in their bronze medal match against Portugal. Despite their best efforts, numerous arrows landing in the 9-ring ultimately cost them the match, resulting in a fourth-place finish.
Similarly, the under-21 compound team, consisting of Luke Ménard, Victor Bouleau, and Sébastien Armanini, narrowly missed out on a podium finish, losing to Turkey by a mere two points (231-233).
Despite these setbacks, France still holds hopes for further success on sunday, with several individual finals scheduled.
Dominant French Archers Shine, But More Work to be Done! We Talk to Former Champion Melanie gaubil
The French nation has reason to celebrate as their men’s recurve archery team clinched a historic gold medal at the European Indoor Championships in Lasko, Slovenia. It’s been 15 long years as their last European title, and this victory certainly signalled a powerful return to the top.
to gain insights into this resounding success and delve deeper into the diverse performance of the French teams, I had the pleasure of speaking with former French national champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Melanie Gaubil.
Welcome, Melanie!
Melanie: Thank you for having me
moderator: So, Melanie, the men’s recurve team’s performance was absolutely superb! A perfect first end, 17 out of 18 arrows hitting the bullseye. What impressed you most about their performance?
Melanie: The composure they showed was phenomenal. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of a major championship final, but they stayed focused and delivered consistently high-level shots. That’s the hallmark of a truly great team.
Moderator: Absolutely. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication. do you think this victory will inspire a new generation of archers in France?
Melanie: I definitely hope so! This kind of success always creates a buzz around the sport, especially among young people. Seeing these athletes achieve something so remarkable can be a real motivator.
Moderator: Speaking of inspiration, the women’s recurve team secured a respectable fourth place. You yourself were part of the team that won bronze back in 2019.
What advice would you give to the current team as they strive for that podium finish again?
Melanie: Keep believing in yourselves and trust the training you’ve done. This year was tough, but there are numerous areas to refine.Take every competition as a learning experience and focus on improving those small details. The team spirit is evident,and with continued hard work,they’ll be back vying for those top spots.
Moderator: Now, let’s discuss the compound bow teams. The reigning champions fell short in their bronze medal match against Portugal. Was this an upset in your eyes?
Melanie: I wouldn’t say it was a complete surprise. The competition at this level is incredibly tight, and any team can beat another on a given day. Compound archery requires unbelievable precision,and sometimes just a slight miscalculation can make the difference.
Moderator: It certainly seems like the French teams faced a mixed bag of results this time.While the men’s recurve team achieved historic success,other teams encountered setbacks. What are your thoughts on the overall performance of the French contingent?
Melanie: It’s been a tournament of highs and lows. The men’s recurve gold medal is an incredible achievement, but there’s no denying the disappointment in some of the other results. It highlights the unpredictable nature of sport – even the best teams can falter.
The meaningful thing is to take these experiences, learn from them, and come back stronger.
Moderator: Excellent point, Melanie. Thank you for your insightful analysis. I’m sure our readers found your viewpoint highly valuable.
Readers, what are your thoughts on the French team’s performance? share your opinions and debate below! Do you think the team can build on this momentum for the next major championships?
