Nîmes Dominates French Selection for Archery World Cup Opener in Puebla

The international outdoor archery season has officially arrived, and for the French national team, the road to glory begins in Puebla, Mexico. As the first stage of the Archery World Cup kicks off, one name is dominating the conversation: L’Arc club de Nîmes. The club has secured a powerhouse presence in the delegation, making it the most represented club within the national squad for this opening event.

Running from Tuesday, April 7, through Sunday, April 12, the competition in Puebla serves as the critical first litmus test for athletes vying for global standings. The event is structured around three primary disciplines—individual, mixed team, and full team events—providing the archers with multiple avenues to secure points and prestige early in the calendar.

The Standard-Bearer: Baptiste Addis

Leading the charge for Nîmes is 19-year-aged Baptiste Addis, who enters the Mexican stage not just as a competitor, but as a marked man. Addis has rapidly ascended the global ranks, currently sitting as the world number six. His trajectory over the last year has been nothing short of meteoric.

Coming off a dominant 2025 season, Addis captured the general ranking of the World Cup circuit, a feat that cemented his status as one of the premier talents in the sport. This level of consistency and precision earned him the title of “Young Athlete of the Year 2025” from the international federation. For the Nîmes delegation in Puebla, Addis is the natural leader, bringing a level of high-pressure experience that is rare for an athlete of his age.

The Recent Guard: Fremery and Renaudineau

While Addis provides the veteran stability, the French squad is also introducing fresh blood to the world stage. Two other 19-year-olds from L’Arc club de Nîmes, Mila Fremery and Alexis Renaudineau, are making their debuts at this level of international competition.

The path to Mexico was paved in March during the national selections, where both Fremery and Renaudineau delivered authoritative performances to secure their spots. For these two athletes, the transition from national success to the World Cup environment represents a significant leap in competition density and psychological demand. Their inclusion signals a generational shift within the Nîmes club, as they join Addis in forming a formidable youth core for France.

Note for readers: In international archery, the transition from national selections to a World Cup stage often involves adapting to varying wind conditions and the heightened pressure of head-to-head bracket play.

A Strategic Pivot for Anaëlle Florent

Rounding out the Nîmes contingent is 25-year-old Anaëlle Florent, whose presence in Puebla marks a strategic evolution in her career. While Florent is a seasoned veteran of high-level competition, she is stepping into a new arena: the compound bow (arc à poulies).

Florent has previously built a solid reputation and extensive experience in the recurve bow (arc classique) category. Moving to the compound bow—which utilizes a system of cables and pulleys to make the bow easier to hold at full draw and generally offers higher precision—is a significant technical shift. However, her existing foundation in elite-level archery is expected to be a vital asset as she makes her World Cup debut in this discipline.

Competition Outlook

The presence of four archers from a single club in the national selection underscores the current dominance of L’Arc club de Nîmes in the French archery landscape. With a mix of a world-ranked leader, emerging teenage talents, and a versatile veteran transitioning disciplines, the delegation is well-positioned to challenge for podiums across the individual and team brackets.

The competition continues in Puebla through Sunday, April 12. The results from this opening stage will set the tone for the rest of the outdoor season and influence seedings for subsequent World Cup events.

Next Checkpoint: Final results and podium placements for the Puebla stage will be confirmed following the conclusion of events on Sunday, April 12.

Do you think the youth movement in the French squad will pay off in Mexico? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.