On the occasion of the Indoor World Series, the Nîmes Addis, Eyeni and Grillat, accomplices outside, shot at home, each at their own level.
This Saturday afternoon, at the start of the knockout matches and the round of 16, the three found themselves spectators of the event. Even in the stands, on the second day of a World Cup round, the archers from the Arc club of Nîmes, Franck Eyeni and Nathan Grillat, were not surprised either.
On the other hand, finding Bapstiste Addis, 19 years old, was a bigger one. He who had always lived these Saturday afternoons as an actor during the Indoor World Series, Better, in 2023, he even saw the Sunday, finalist in Nîmes at… 16 years old.
Addis fully behind his people
This time, the silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Games (team, with Jean-Charles Valladont) therefore had plenty of time to indulge in selfies and other signings… organization badge around his neck, eliminated, Friday, in qualifying, 51st with 573 points (“0” on the first arrow).
”I follow the people of Nîmes to the corehe assures, an attentive spectator. We still have Jean-Charles shooting, Victoria Sebastian (see box). This morning, I was behind Alexis Renaudineau (see below). I also watched Franck’s qualifications (Eyes). Anyway, that’s all that’s left to do (sic)…”
And it is not the four ends of 3 arrows shot this Sunday morning, in the very cozy atmosphere of the Exhibition Center during the secondary tournament, which will console him: ”These are not matches, not the same liking.”
Eyeni: ”I’m so happy, we’re enjoying”
Franck Eyeni does not need to be comforted. At the age of 24, the Ivorian archer from the Arc club in Nîmes took part in his first major indoor competition. And, in his eyes, being on the shooting range alongside champions already had all the makings of a victory. ”Even if I am not qualified, I beat my record (from 575 to 577, 41st; cut to 579). I shot each arrow without getting angry, concentrated, I am very proud of myself. I know that next year I will do better. I’m so happy, we’re enjoying it”he said, enthusiastically.
”It’s good for guys like Franck,” says Addis. Everyone has their own personality. Franck is always in a good mood. Anyway, at the ACN, no matter what Nîmes it was, we always had a laugh about the D1 championships. We know how to be serious on the shooting range but, afterwards, in the restaurant or wherever the place is, we all have our personalities and, I repeat, we have a really good laugh. This changes on the high level side, at Insep.”
Nathan Grillat, less composed and quiet…
Sitting at the table, Nathan Grillat, 20 years old, son of the sports director of the Nîmes club, Olivier, is not the least happy of the group. ”I only resumed in February 2025 after a long triceps injury, explains the former vice-champion of France Minimes. I expected a better result (91e, 559 points). I think I miss training, big competitions like that, with a different atmosphere. It has nothing to do with the matches we have between us with Franck, calm, calm… Decorum plays a lot on me.”
At Parnassus, ”there are often the best but, what’s more, they are prepared”observed Addis. Le mot de la fin à Nathan Grillat : ”I think that all three of us, even if we didn’t make the cut, we still had a great time shooting in Nîmes.”
