French Compound Archers Shine at European Grand Prix, Secure Bronze in Antalya

ANTALYA, Turkey — The French compound archery team salvaged a challenging outing at the European Grand Prix with a hard-fought bronze medal in the women’s team event, marking a historic first international podium for 19-year-old Kyla Touraine-Helias and showcasing the rising talent of Picardy’s Ambre Puiseux and Victor Bouleau.

The tournament, held April 20–26 at the Antalya Archery Field, saw France’s seven-strong delegation struggle in individual events but rally in the team competition to claim the country’s sole medal of the weekend. The bronze finish by Alyssia Chambraud, Puiseux, and Touraine-Helias over Germany in the third-place match provided a bright spot after a week of near-misses for the tricolore.

Historic First for Touraine-Helias

For Kyla Touraine-Helias, the bronze medal wasn’t just a team achievement—it was her first international podium in her debut appearance for the French senior team. The 19-year-old, who previously won gold at the 2022 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, stepped into the senior ranks with confidence, helping her teammates edge out Germany 229–225 in the bronze-medal match.

“This medal is a dream come true,” Touraine-Helias told the French Archery Federation (FFTA) in a post-match interview. “I’ve worked so hard to transition from junior to senior competition, and to do it with this team makes it even more special.”

Her performance in Antalya solidifies her status as one of France’s most promising young archers, following a strong indoor season where she finished in the top 10 at the European Indoor Championships in February.

Picardy’s Dynamic Duo: Puiseux and Bouleau

Two archers from the Picardy region of northern France, Ambre Puiseux and Victor Bouleau, were among the seven French athletes selected for the Grand Prix. Both earned their spots after strong showings at the national selection trials in Compiègne in mid-March, where Puiseux finished second in the women’s compound division and Bouleau secured third in the men’s.

Puiseux, 22, came closest to an individual medal in Antalya, advancing to the semifinals before falling just short of the podium. Her consistency throughout the tournament—including a 144/150 qualification round—demonstrated why she’s become a key part of France’s women’s compound team. Bouleau, meanwhile, competed in the men’s individual event but was eliminated in the round of 16, finishing 12th overall.

“Ambre and Victor represent the future of French compound archery,” said FFTA national coach Jean-Marc Vasseur. “Their performances in Antalya, especially under pressure, show they’re ready for bigger stages.”

A Disappointing Outing for France’s Indoor Stars

Despite high expectations following a successful indoor season—where France’s compound archers won multiple medals at the European Indoor Championships in February—the team struggled to replicate that form in Antalya. Victoria Sebastian, the reigning World Cup indoor champion, was notably absent from the podium, as were most of France’s individual competitors.

The women’s team bronze was the only medal France secured, leaving the delegation with a mixed record. The tournament followed a similarly underwhelming performance at the World Cup stage in Puebla, Mexico, where no French archers reached the podium.

“We know we’re capable of more,” said Chambraud, the team’s most experienced member. “The conditions in Antalya were tough—wind, heat—but that’s no excuse. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”

What’s Next for France’s Compound Archers?

The European Grand Prix was a critical tune-up for France’s compound archers ahead of the 2026 World Archery Championships, scheduled for September in Berlin, Germany. The event will serve as a key qualifier for the 2027 World Games and could shape Olympic preparations for Paris 2028, where compound archery is not currently included but remains a potential addition.

For now, the focus shifts to individual training and upcoming domestic competitions, including the French National Championships in June. The FFTA has also confirmed that Puiseux, Bouleau, and Touraine-Helias will be part of the 11-archer squad for the next international event: the World Cup stage in Shanghai, set for May 12–18.

“Shanghai is our next big test,” said Vasseur. “We’ll use what we learned in Antalya to refine our approach. The goal is to build momentum heading into the summer.”

Key Takeaways from Antalya

• Historic Debut: Kyla Touraine-Helias won her first senior international medal in her first appearance for the French team.
• Picardy’s Impact: Ambre Puiseux and Victor Bouleau, both from the Picardy region, were key contributors to France’s campaign.
• Team Success: The women’s compound team secured France’s only medal of the tournament, defeating Germany in the bronze-medal match.
• Individual Struggles: Despite strong indoor form, France’s archers failed to medal in individual events, with Puiseux’s semifinal finish the closest call.
• Next Stop: The team will regroup for the World Cup stage in Shanghai (May 12–18), with a focus on Olympic qualification pathways.

How to Follow France’s Compound Archers

For real-time updates on France’s compound archery team, follow the French Archery Federation (FFTA) or check World Archery’s official results page for live scores and standings. Fans can also watch select events on World Archery’s streaming platform.

What do you think of France’s performance in Antalya? Will the team bounce back in Shanghai? Share your thoughts in the comments below.