Competing in the U21 men’s recurve division, the achievement adds to his indoor national title won in February 2026 and earns him a spot on the French national team for the upcoming world championships in the United States.
National Championship Podiums and Field Archery Demands
Field archery differs significantly from standard target shooting by placing competitors on outdoor multi-target courses set across varying terrain, including open fields, wooded areas, and steep slopes. Archers face uphill and downhill shots, transverse angles, and unknown target distances reaching up to 60 meters. The championship format alternates between courses featuring known distances, unknown distances, and mixed layouts, ensuring competitors never shoot twice at the exact same target.
Representing the renowned Lot-et-Garonne club of the Agen suburbs, Laforgue stood out as the sole competitor making the trip from the Archers de Boé, according to regional reporting. His bronze-medal finish in the U21 category validates a strong competitive run that began earlier in the year with his indoor title.
Regional Turnout and Competition Format
A total of 35 athletes from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region traveled north to participate in the national gathering.
The schedule opened on Thursday with qualification rounds for youth divisions (U13 to U18) as well as specific compound categories on designated courses. A revised tournament format dedicated Friday entirely to finals and a 12-target recreational round for non-qualifying athletes. Classical, barebow, and traditional longbow divisions contested their qualification rounds on Saturday, leading into Sunday’s medal finals and final round of convivial shooting.
World Championship Selection and Balancing a New Career
Following the conclusion of the championship events, national selectors named Laforgue to the French U21 men’s recurve team.
Laforgue began a professional apprenticeship in pastry arts on August 11, necessitating formal negotiations with his employer and training school to secure leave for international duty. Team France will hold a collective training camp at Verdun-sur-Garonne on August 31 and September 1 ahead of the transatlantic trip.
Next Steps on the International Calendar
Laforgue will report to the national team training camp in Verdun-sur-Garonne on August 31 and September 1, 2026, before traveling to Yankton, United States, for the World Field Archery Championships running from September 22 to September 27, 2026.
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