Archery: Lisa Barbelin makes history by winning a bronze medal

Nerves of steel. With a final perfect shot, rated 10, Lisa Barbelin won the individual bronze medal, this Saturday, August 3, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. On the Esplanade des Invalides, against the South Korean Jeon Hun-young, the 24-year-old archer did not tremble in winning the small final (6-4). The only Frenchwoman in the last four in the middle of three South Koreans, Loraine brings a 38th charm to France, but above all a historic first Olympic medal for tricolor women’s archery.

Supported by the 8,000 spectators in the arena who gave her a standing ovation throughout the day, the resident of the Dieuze Shooting Society (Moselle) expressed her joy when she saw her arrow hit the small central yellow target. despite a slight wind. She couldn’t hold back her tears before jumping into her coach’s arms as the audience chanted: “Lisa, Lisa!” »

Long work rewarded

« I am very proud of this medal for France, it is exceptional ! This is a first and I think there will be moreshe stressed at a press conference. (…) My first emotions after this final successful shot were: what happiness, what pride! All this work accomplished for so long is finally rewarded. »

Beaten in the semi-final by South Korean Nam Su-hyeon (6-0), Lisa Barbelin was able to bounce back less than ten minutes after her defeat to throw all her strength into the quest for the bronze medal. Victorious in the first (28-27) and third sets (28-26), the Mosellane executed a final ideal shot, despite the pressure, to win the fifth set (28-27) ensuring her the podium. This is the first medal in French women’s archery since the third place of Virginie Arnold, Bérengère Schuh and Sophie Dodemont in teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

humanite.fr/sports/championnat-du-monde/cet-ete-je-vise-lor-larchere-lisa-barbelin-annonce-la-couleur-avant-les-jeux-olympiques

Lisa Barbelin opened the table on July 31, eliminating in the round of 16 the Chinese Yang Xiaolei (6-2), third in the ranking round and winner, at the end of June, of the last stage of the World Cup in Antalya (Turkey). In the morning, the archer then won against the Brazilian Ana Luiza Caetano (6-2).

In the quarter-final, the 2021 outdoor and 2022 indoor European champion came close to elimination against the Indonesian Diananda Choirunisa by winning on the golden arrow with a 10 when her opponent was unable to do better than an 8. “I approached the matches one after the other as if they were isolated, she clarified. I think it was the right way to stay as focused as possible. »

The one who had clearly announced that she wanted a medal at the Olympic Games for “ mark history » was able to re-mobilize after the disappointment of the team event against the Netherlands on July 28, where the French were swept away in the first round (6-0).

“I was missing the key »

Thanks to mental work with a psychologist, the Frenchwoman, based at Insep, was able to regain her feelings and quickly turn the page. “ It was necessary. Talking to her, it was like I was missing the key and she gave it to me, I just had to turn it. The Olympic Games are wonderful but you have to be in the present moment so as not to get distracted, she explained. (…) I am emotional and I need to get out what I have inside me. I don’t think it’s a hindrance. Yes, I live with a lot of things in my head but it’s up to me to accept them. »

The loose shooting technique, advocated by the South Korean Oh Seon-tek, known as “Monsieur Oh”, a world reference in archery who has overseen the French men’s and women’s teams since 2022, has therefore once again borne fruit . The French camp is hoping for a “contagion effect” now that Lisa Barbelin has opened the way individually.

Hopes now rest on the shoulders of Thomas Chirault and Baptiste Addis, who became Olympic team vice-champions on July 29. The two archers know what they have to do.