In Gwangju, South Korea, French archers-including the Nîmes Jean-Charles Valladont, Baptiste Addis and Victoria Sebastian-have known contrasting worlds, between hopes, great performances and disappointments.
The world archery championships took place this week in Gwangju, South Korea, with a mixed assessment for the French team. The Nîmes Jean-Charles Valladont and Baptiste Addis, associated with Thomas Chirault, showed a very high level but stranded in the quest for a podium during team competition.
A final before the hour against Korea
Silver medalists in Paris, the French found Korea from the round of 16. A duel that many would have liked to see in the final. The match was played in the dam, a few millimeters. This defeat against the world champions has deprived the Blues of a new podium, despite an excellent level of play. They finally finished in 5th place.
Addis and Valladont braked individually
Very in view of the circuit in recent months, Baptiste Addis has paid a drop in form in the Indivuduel Tournament. Beaten in the first round by Bangladais Roma Krishna Saha (6-2), he could not confirm his recent successes in the World Cup.
Jean-Charles Valladont won against the Swedish Kaj Sjöberg (7-3) before giving in to the second round against the Cuban Hugo Franco (6-2).
Victoria Sebastian confirms her potential
The Nîmes Victoria Sebastian distinguished herself during these Worlds. In the mixed team with Thomas Chirault, she hung at 9th place, a classification which she also shares with the women’s team (alongside Lisa Barbelin and Amélie Cordeau).
Individual, after an initial victory over the Georgian Tsiko Putkaradze, she bowed to the second in the dam against the Brazilian Ana Louiza Sliachaticas Caetano, despite a tight duel.
A 2025 season rich in emotions
Despite the disappointment of these Worlds, the performance of the season remains remarkable for the French and Nîmes archers. Victoria Sebastian gleaned three silver medals during the Indoor World Series (Nîmes and Las Vegas) and at the European Championships. For his part, Baptiste Addis won a silver medal in Madrid, a bronze in Türkiye and a beautiful fourth place in Shanghai.
