Paris 2026 Olympic Archery Contenders Alexandre Desemery and Reena Parnat Lead Favorites at Combe aux Faives Tournament

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

Two of the most decorated archers in the world will headline this week’s Combe aux Faives archery tournament in France, with European vice-champion Alexandre Desemery and Olympic flagbearer Reena Parnat of Estonia emerging as the clear favorites in the recurve (classic) bow division. The event, organized by the Archers de la Combe aux Faives club, serves as a critical tune-up for both athletes ahead of the Paris 2026 Olympic Games, where they are expected to contend for medals on home soil and in the global spotlight.

Why This Tournament Matters

The Combe aux Faives competition, set to begin on April 30, 2026 in the Grand Est region of France, is one of the final major international events before the Olympic archery qualifiers conclude. For Desemery, a silver medalist at the 2025 European Archery Championships, the tournament offers a chance to fine-tune his form against elite competition. Parnat, meanwhile, will glance to build on her momentum after being named Estonia’s flagbearer for the Paris Olympics—a historic honor that underscores her status as one of the nation’s most prominent athletes.

“This is more than just a warm-up,” said a spokesperson for the French Archery Federation (FFTA). “The pressure of competing in France, with the Olympics just months away, makes every arrow count. Both Desemery and Parnat have the skill to win here, but the real test will be how they handle the expectations.”

The Contenders: Desemery and Parnat’s Paths to Paris

Alexandre Desemery: France’s Home Hope

At 28, Desemery has established himself as one of Europe’s most consistent recurve archers. His silver medal at the 2025 European Championships in Rome cemented his reputation as a podium threat, and his recent performances suggest he is peaking at the right time. In January 2026, Desemery recorded a 590/600 score in the S2HCL ranking round—a personal best and the highest mark in the world that season. The score, achieved during the IWS Occitanie Nîmes Archery tournament, placed him ahead of rivals like Italy’s Mauro Nespoli and South Korea’s Kim Woo-jin, the latter a three-time Olympic medalist.

Desemery’s club, Issy-les-Moulineaux Archery, has been instrumental in his preparation. “Alexandre’s focus is unmatched,” said a club official. “He’s spent the last year refining his release and mental resilience, and it’s showing in his scores.” His ability to perform under pressure will be on full display in Paris, where he will compete in front of a partisan home crowd.

Reena Parnat: Estonia’s Olympic Flagbearer

For Parnat, 29, the Combe aux Faives tournament is an opportunity to prove she belongs among the world’s elite. The Estonian archer, who trains with the NS Archery Club, has been a steady presence on the international circuit but has yet to win a major individual medal. Her selection as Estonia’s flagbearer for the Paris Olympics, but, speaks to her growing influence in the sport. “It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also a motivation,” Parnat said in a recent interview with Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR). “I want to display that Estonia can compete with the best.”

Parnat’s recent form has been impressive. At the 2026 IWS Occitanie Nîmes Archery event, she posted a 519/600 score in the ranking round, placing her among the top 15 women in the world. Whereas she trails the likes of South Korea’s An San and China’s Zhang Mengyao, her consistency and composure make her a dark horse in Paris.

What to Watch at Combe aux Faives

The tournament, which runs through May 3, 2026, will feature a mix of ranking rounds and head-to-head elimination matches. Here are the key storylines to follow:

• Desemery’s Dominance: Can the Frenchman maintain his early-season form? His 590/600 score in January suggests he is capable of outdueling any opponent, but archery is as much about mental fortitude as We see about technique. Watch for how he handles the pressure of competing in his home country.
• Parnat’s Breakthrough Moment: The Estonian archer has never won a major international tournament, but her recent performances indicate she is closing the gap. A strong showing in France could signal her arrival as a legitimate medal contender in Paris.
• The Dark Horses: Keep an eye on Mete Gazoz of Turkey, the reigning Olympic champion, and Deepika Kumari of India, a three-time World Cup winner. Both are expected to compete and could spoil the party for Desemery and Parnat.
• Team Dynamics: While the focus is on individual performances, the tournament will also feature team events. France, led by Desemery, is a favorite in the men’s team competition, while Estonia will look to Parnat to anchor their women’s squad.

The Road to Paris 2026

The Combe aux Faives tournament is the last major event before the final Olympic qualification window closes in June 2026. For Desemery and Parnat, strong performances here could provide a psychological edge heading into the Games. “Every competition now is a dress rehearsal,” said Juan Carlos Holgado, the Spanish head coach of the French national team. “The Olympics are won in the details—consistency, focus, and the ability to execute under pressure.”

For fans, the tournament offers a rare glimpse of the world’s best archers in a competitive but lower-stakes environment. With the Olympics just months away, every arrow carries added significance.

How to Follow the Action

The Combe aux Faives tournament will be streamed live on the French Archery Federation’s official YouTube channel, with select matches also available on Olympic Channel. For real-time updates, follow the hashtag #CombeAuxFaives2026 on social media, where organizers will post scores, photos, and highlights.

Key dates to remember:

• April 30, 2026: Ranking rounds (local time: 9:00 AM CEST / 7:00 AM UTC)
• May 1–2, 2026: Elimination matches (local time: 10:00 AM CEST / 8:00 AM UTC)
• May 3, 2026: Finals (local time: 2:00 PM CEST / 12:00 PM UTC)

Key Takeaways

• Alexandre Desemery and Reena Parnat are the favorites to win the recurve division at the Combe aux Faives tournament, with both archers using the event as a final tune-up before the Paris Olympics.
• Desemery’s 590/600 score in January 2026 is the highest in the world this season, making him a podium threat in every competition he enters.
• Parnat, Estonia’s Olympic flagbearer, has never won a major international tournament but is closing the gap on the sport’s elite.
• The tournament runs from April 30 to May 3, 2026, with live streams available on the French Archery Federation’s YouTube channel.
• This is the last major event before the final Olympic qualification window closes in June 2026, adding urgency to every performance.

What’s Next?

The next confirmed checkpoint for both Desemery and Parnat is the European Archery Championships, scheduled for June 10–15, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. The event will serve as the final opportunity for archers to secure Olympic qualification spots before the Paris Games begin on July 26, 2026.

For now, all eyes are on Combe aux Faives. Will Desemery and Parnat live up to their billing as favorites? The arrows will notify the story.

What do you believe? Will Alexandre Desemery and Reena Parnat win in France? Share your predictions in the comments below or on social media using #ArchysportPredicts.