Sévérac Students Secure Bronze at UNSS Tir à l’Arc Sport Partagé 2026

In a display of resilience and precision, the archery team from Collège Jean d’Alembert in Sévérac has captured a bronze medal at the UNSS Tir à l’Arc Sport Partagé 2026 French Championship. The result marks the fourth consecutive year that the school has maintained a streak of high-level sporting achievements in the discipline.

The team, consisting of Lilou Guilhou, Léon Dijols, Gabriel Jonquet, and Mathéo Astoul, overcame a rocky start in Riom to secure their place on the national podium. For a group of young athletes—some of whom are newcomers to the sport—the journey from regional qualifiers to a national medal represents a significant climb in competitive archery.

A Stressful Start in Riom

The national finals in Riom did not begin smoothly for the Sévéragais. On Monday, March 30, the team faced immediate hurdles when Lilou Guilhou and Gabriel Jonquet were unable to shoot their sighting arrows within the allotted time. This lack of preparation added immense pressure heading into the following morning.

The qualification round on Tuesday morning was designed to maximize points to determine seeding. While the team initially appeared competitive, their scores began to slide. Despite landing 22 arrows in the 9 and 10 rings, the team finished in 6th and last place in their group.

The Turnaround: Duel Phases

Despite the disappointing qualification ranking, the team refused to concede. Under the guidance of coaches Cyril Aubesquie and Bernard Barascud, the athletes shifted their focus to the duel phases held during the afternoon. By leveraging motivation and enthusiasm, the team began clawing back positions in the bracket, eventually fighting their way to a bronze medal finish.

This comeback highlights the mental toughness required in the “Sport Partagé” (shared sport) format, where team cohesion and psychological endurance are as critical as technical skill.

Diverse Backgrounds, Common Goal

The composition of the team underscores the inclusive nature of the UNSS championships. Mathéo Astoul and Gabriel Jonquet are residents of the Institut médico-éducatif (IME) de La Roquette and have been licensed members of the Les Archers de Sévérac club for two seasons.

The team as well features rapid development in skill. Lilou Guilhou only began practicing archery in January, while Gabriel Jonquet started in November of the previous year. Their ability to compete at a national level within such a short timeframe speaks to the effectiveness of the local training pipeline in Aveyron.

The Road to the National Podium

The bronze medal in Riom was the culmination of a successful season that began with strong regional performances. The team’s trajectory included:

• January: High scores achieved during the departmental qualifiers in Bozouls.
• Mid-February: A successful academy trial in Pechbonnieu, located in the Toulouse suburbs.
• March 31: The final national showdown in Riom.

By navigating these three distinct levels of competition, the students from Collège Jean d’Alembert solidified Sévérac’s reputation as a burgeoning hub for youth archery.

For more details on the event and the team’s performance, the full report is available via Midi Libre.

The team now looks to build on this momentum as they return to their training at the club and school levels. Stay tuned for further updates on youth archery rankings and upcoming UNSS events.