Mila Fremery-Delestan Shines in World Cup Debut with Top-Six Finish in Puebla

The international archery circuit has a fresh name to watch. At just 19 years old, Mila Fremery-Delestan has transitioned from a promising prospect to a legitimate contender, capping off a remarkable debut at the first stage of the 2026 Archery World Cup in Puebla, Mexico.

Competing in challenging, windy conditions that tested even the most seasoned veterans, the Arc Club de Nîmes (ACN) standout fought her way to a sixth-place finish. For a teenager making her first selection for the French national senior team, the result is more than just a statistical win—We see a statement of intent.

A Giant-Killing Run in Mexico

Fremery-Delestan’s path to the quarter-finals was not a straight line. She entered the elimination rounds ranked 13th following the qualification stage, meaning she had to fight through every bracket to climb the leaderboard.

The momentum shifted in the 1/16 finals, where she dispatched Turkey’s Canse Duru Tarakci with a 6-2 victory. However, it was her performance in the 1/8 finals that captured the attention of the archery world. In a high-stakes matchup, Fremery-Delestan took down Ana Vasquez of Mexico, a 2024 Paris Olympic medalist, with a decisive 7-3 score.

The run eventually ended in the quarter-finals, where she fell to China’s Yuwei Huang. Despite the loss, the 19-year-old’s ability to maintain composure against Olympic-level talent in erratic wind conditions marks a significant milestone in her early career.

From Compiègne to the World Stage

This breakout performance in Puebla was foreshadowed during the national selection trials in Compiègne (Oise). At 18 years old, Fremery-Delestan arrived from the Mornas club in Vaucluse and immediately disrupted the established hierarchy, winning the selection event to secure her spot on the 2026 French national team.

Her rapid ascent is part of a broader surge for the Arc Club de Nîmes. The club has effectively turn into a powerhouse for the French national squad, contributing a deep roster of talent including Sebastian, Florent, Renaudineau, Bariteaud, Valladont, Addis, and Grillat.

The ACN Collective: Mixed Results in Puebla

While Fremery-Delestan stole the headlines, her teammates from Nîmes experienced a varied weekend in Mexico. Baptiste Addis provided one of the most dominant qualifying displays of the tournament, finishing first in the qualifications and outperforming five of the world’s top-ranked archers.

However, the match-play format proved more volatile for Addis. He was eliminated in the 1/8 finals by Taiwan’s Chih-chun Tang, ultimately finishing 11th individually and 4th as part of the team competition.

Other Nîmois representatives found the windy conditions more hard to navigate. Alexis Renaudineau finished in 41st place, while Anaëlle Florent ended the competition in 44th.

What’s Next for the Rising Star

Fremery-Delestan does not have much time to dwell on her success in Puebla. Her 2026 schedule is aggressively packed as she looks to build on this momentum.

The French archer is slated to compete in the next World Cup stage in Shanghai, China, from May 5 to May 10. Shortly after, she will represent France at the European Championships in Antalya, Turkey, held from May 18 to May 24.

For a player who was just a club athlete in Vaucluse a short time ago, the trajectory is steep. If her performance in Puebla is any indication, the “novice” label will be gone long before the season ends.

Do you consider Fremery-Delestan can break into the top five at the European Championships? Let us know in the comments.