Virginie Chevrier secured the gold medal in the 3D division at the world championships in Yankton, South Dakota, rising from 11th place in the qualifications to capture her first international title after 16 years of elite competition.
Climbing From Eleventh to First in Yankton
The world championships ran from September 28 to October 3, bringing archers from around the globe to South Dakota. Chevrier, representing the Archers de Montciel club in Lons-le-Saunier, finished the qualification round in 11th position among 25 competitors in the 3D division, which involves shooting in groups across a 24-target course. That qualification standing left her with ground to make up during the elimination phases. According to league records from the Comité Régional Bourgogne-Franche-Comté de Tir à l’Arc, she advanced through the bracket by defeating the third-ranked archer in the quarterfinals and the second-ranked competitor in the semifinals.
Mastering the Elevated Targets in the Final
In the gold medal match, Chevrier faced Austria’s Rosemarie Leitner, who had previously won the world title in Slovenia in 2024. Unlike the traditional wooded and rolling terrain common in European competitions, the Yankton course featured elevated targets that forced competitors to recalculate distances mid-match. Chevrier maintained a steady pace against the wind and the running clock, ultimately outscoring Leitner 57 to 44 to secure a 13-point victory as her opponent’s final arrow missed the mark.
A Career Forged Through Persistence
The victory marks Chevrier’s first international medal, following a career that includes multiple national podium finishes in barebow disciplines and two top-10 finishes at the European Championships, where she placed sixth in Göteborg in 2019 and seventh in Maribor in 2021. Following two challenging seasons that required a strict return to fundamentals, she rebounded in 2026 by setting personal records in natural course archery, earning a silver medal at the French Field Championship, and securing her spot on the national team following a selection camp.
Returning to the Classroom in the Jura
Back home in the Jura region, Chevrier resumed her weekday profession as a kindergarten teacher. When she returned to her young students, their questions immediately turned to her success on the world stage. Her pupils greeted her return by asking if she had beaten everyone—even Belgium—and confirming whether she was now the best in the world.
Worth a look
