Yzeure, France – A new generation of French archery talent emerged at the national championships in Yzeure this past weekend, with a dozen athletes claiming titles across various age groups, and disciplines. The competition, which saw strong performances from both established names and rising stars, highlighted the depth of talent within French archery.
The competition began with the Under-13 (U13) divisions, alongside the barebow categories, setting the stage for a weekend of intense competition. Pénélope Bastin, representing Estrees St Denis, captured gold in the U13 women’s event, celebrating her victory with a supportive fan base. She finished ahead of Lise Gaudry (Riom) and Marie Soyer (Compiègne), completing the podium.
In the U13 men’s competition, Tymote Hotel of Obernai secured the top spot, demonstrating impressive skill and composure. He bested Samuel Carpentier (La Croix en Touraine) and Noé Favaro (Barcelonette) to claim the championship. The early success of these young archers signals a promising future for French archery.
Alongside the U13 events, the barebow competition also delivered exciting results. Laurine Ronot (Fleury-Saran), a seasoned competitor, proved her mettle by defeating Lilou Ranou (Robion) to win the women’s title. Charlotte Auriat-Garin (Ecouen) rounded out the top three.
The men’s barebow competition saw Matthieu Dufay (Bois d’Arcy) add another accolade to his growing list of achievements. Having already posted the best French U18 qualifying performance, Dufay triumphed over Mayeul Forment (Bois d’Arcy) and Rudy Marcault (Fleury-Saran). This victory further solidifies his position as a force to be reckoned with in the French archery scene.
Moving into the Under-15 (U15) divisions, Léa Brin (Thouars) delivered a stunning upset, defeating the national ranking leader, Lyna Zeroual (Auros). Lylou Demezieres (Chalons) secured the bronze medal in a closely contested match.
In the U15 men’s event, Maël Roth (Mulhouse) continued his impressive form, building on his bronze medal performance at the Nîmes competition in January to claim the national title. Gabriel Nectoux (Plourin-Les-Morlaix) and Hugo Romain (Riom) joined him on the podium.
The Under-18 (U18) competition saw Lola Gentin (Bron) achieve a significant victory, overcoming the national ranking leader, Lena Seychal (Riom). Gentin shared her excitement, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the sport. “I really enjoyed it. I learned last year that you only score points when you have fun. I wasn’t really able to apply that, but I was lucky enough to participate in Nîmes and that was a big turning point for me. In this competition, I gained confidence, I was able to put things in place. And this atmosphere… I loved it!”
Jade Poitevin Coppieters de Tergon (Compiègne) secured the bronze medal in the U18 women’s event.
The U18 men’s competition witnessed a surprising result as Benjamin Delmotte (Veneux-Les-Sablons) defied expectations to claim the gold medal. Having previously held only a departmental vice-championship title, Delmotte defeated the reigning U15 champion, Martin Boutrand (Beauzac), in a thrilling final. Matthieu Ponchel (Draveil Senart) also earned a place on the podium.
In the U18-U20 compound bow divisions, experienced competitors dominated. Romane Sablin (Notre Dame de Gravenchon) took the women’s title, followed by Camille Cardoso (Marignane) and Amy Jacques (Macon). Terence Coustham emerged victorious in the men’s event, defeating Evan Garnier (Macon). Clément Cardoso joined his sister on the podium, securing a second medal for Marignane.
The French Archery Federation’s championships in Yzeure showcased not only the skill and dedication of these young athletes but also the vibrant and growing community surrounding the sport in France. The event provided a platform for emerging talents to shine and established competitors to reaffirm their positions, setting the stage for continued success in the years to come.
Looking ahead, these champions will undoubtedly be ones to watch as they continue to develop their skills and compete on the national and international stages. The next major event on the French archery calendar is expected to be announced by the federation in the coming weeks, providing further opportunities for these athletes to demonstrate their prowess.
