Victoria Sebastian, Jean-Charles Valladont and Baptiste Addis, the three archers from Nîmes, won gold, silver and bronze during the first indoor tournament of the season in Taipei. An exceptional collective performance which ideally launches the international season.
The Arc club of Nîmes could not dream of a better way to launch the Indoor IWS season. Traveling to Taipei (Taiwan), its three representatives returned with an almost entirely Gard podium: gold for Victoria Sebastian, silver for Jean-Charles Valladont, and bronze for Baptiste Addis. An unprecedented hat-trick achieved on Asian lands, renowned among the most formidable in the world.
“We came to Taipei confident, but the results went beyond our expectations. It’s magnificent! “, rejoiced the club’s technical director, Olivier Grillat, a few minutes before the finals. A widely shared satisfaction as this trio showed exemplary solidarity and mastery throughout the competition.
Victoria Sebastian, the new boss
Victoria Sebastian’s journey commands admiration. The young Nîmese first created a sensation by eliminating the world No. 1, the South Korean Chaeyoung Kang, in the round of 16. In the final, she left no chance to another South Korean, Eunah Lee, swept aside 7-1.
Calm, diligent, sure of her shot, Victoria confirms impressive progress: bronze in Nîmes, silver in Las Vegas, and now gold in Taipei. A rise in power which places her among the great entertainers of the season.
A duel at the top for Jean-Charles Valladont
The experienced Jean-Charles Valladont also delivered a thrilling final against the Taiwanese Yu-Yang Su. The Nîmes man pushes his opponent with the shoot-off arrow and only loses by a breath: a 9 against a 10. He nevertheless wins a magnificent silver medal, confirming that he remains one of the most reliable French archers on the international scene.
Jean-Charles Valladont and Baptiste Addis together on the podium, flanking the Taiwanese Yu-Yang Su.
Baptiste Addis, solid to the end
Third member of the Nîmes group, Baptiste Addis had a remarkable career, notably with a striking victory over the South Korean Ku Bonchan, Olympic champion in Rio. In the match for third place, he won 6-4 against Jaewoo Heo, giving the club a third medal and a 100% Nîmes podium.
A club launched at full speed before Nîmes 2026
With this historic hat-trick, the Arc club of Nîmes is sending a strong signal in the run-up to the IWS 1000 Tournament in Nîmes, organized from January 15 to 18. A major stage of the world circuit which, this year again, should offer an exceptional level. The Nîmes archers have already shown that they are ready.
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