France Reigns Supreme at the 2025 World Archery Championships in Lewisburg, Tennessee
The picturesque landscape of Lewisburg, Tennessee, once again played host to the pinnacle of archery competition as the 2025 World Archery Championships unfolded from September 19th to 21st.Following their triumphant victory in 2023, the French national team has once again demonstrated their unparalleled skill and strategic prowess, successfully defending their world title. The French contingent didn’t just secure team gold; they also captured an extraordinary haul of four individual medals, including a stellar gold performance by Chloé Simon in the junior division.
This year’s championship saw archers from across the globe converge on American soil. The French team, under the astute guidance of National Coach Alan Le Gall, fielded a formidable lineup. The core of the 2023 championship-winning squad – gaëtan Blot (20), Raphaël Malet (19), and Chloé Simon (17) – returned to compete. They were joined by César Vassallucci (17), who, after gaining valuable experience at the European Championships, focused his efforts on individual events. A crucial element of their planning involved acclimatizing to the locally sourced horses, which were rented and test-ridden days before the competition to forge optimal rider-steed partnerships. the chosen mounts, Dhma Prince, Lightning, Dhma Lady Georgia Lynx, and Dhma Nacci, proved to be extraordinary partners for the French athletes.
A Dominant Display: Five Medals for France
The world Archery Championships brought together 56 elite competitors representing 23 nations, all vying for supremacy. The competition format was designed to test a wide range of archery skills, featuring two online events – an imposed routine and a technical challenge – held on the initial two days. The championship culminated on the final day with a thrilling hunting test, navigating varied terrain. In the early stages, the French team faced strong opposition from transatlantic rivals, including Brazil and Canada. Their consistent performance across the first two events propelled them to the top of the provisional standings, setting a high bar for their competitors.
The intensity of the final hunting test did little to disrupt the French team’s momentum.Their collective strength and unwavering focus allowed them to maintain their lead, ultimately clinching the world title with an outstanding score of 293,532 points. This commanding victory placed them considerably ahead of their closest rivals, Indonesia, who secured the silver medal with 254,193 points, and Poland, earning the bronze with 242,093 points. As National Coach Alan Le Gall observed, the overall level of competition continues to escalate year after year, making each victory hard-earned.
Individually, the french team shone brightly. Chloé Simon delivered a masterful performance to claim the junior gold medal aboard Dhma Prince, showcasing the exceptional bond she had developed with her equine partner. Her teammate, César Vassallucci, also found himself on the podium, securing a medal with DHMA NACCI. The Indonesian duo of Kaisar Akhtar and Blue Horse rounded out the junior podium, demonstrating the growing strength of international archery talent.
in the young rider category, the Netherlands emerged victorious, with Siem Buddling and Cha Chilled Gold taking the top spot. Indonesia again proved their mettle, with Omar El Farooq Putra Alut and Blue Horse earning the silver medal. France secured the bronze in this division thanks to the efforts of Raphaël Malet and Dhma Lady Georgia Lynx.
Looking at the overall standings across all categories, the depth of french talent was evident. Raphaël Malet finished an impressive third, Chloé Simon fourth, César Vassallucci fifth, and Gaëtan blot sixth. “This outstanding team performance is a testament to the dedicated work of our coaches throughout the year and the unwavering commitment of our young athletes,” commented Alan Le Gall, highlighting the programme’s success.
For a comprehensive look at the complete results, please visit the official rankings.
(Data provided by press release)
