European Archery Gold Rush: Nîmes’ Addis and Valladont Claim Historic Medals in Antwerp
ANTWERP, Belgium — In a stunning display of precision and nerve, France’s archery duo Baptiste Addis and Jean-Charles Valladont delivered a masterclass at the 2024 European Archery Championships, securing the country’s first-ever team gold medal in the men’s recurve event. Their victory in Antwerp’s Sportpaleis wasn’t just a personal triumph—it marked a turning point for French archery ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Nîmes-based archers, who train under the same coach at the renowned French Archery Federation facility, combined flawless technique with unshakable composure to outgun Italy in a dramatic final. Their 6-2 win in the gold medal match wasn’t just about arrows in targets—it was about years of preparation culminating in Olympic-year glory.
How They Did It: A Tactical Breakdown
The French pair’s path to gold began with dominance in the qualification round, where they finished with a 1,372 score—just 1 point behind the eventual silver medalists from Italy. But it was their mental resilience in the elimination rounds that set them apart.
- Round of 16: Faced with Turkey’s Ömer Avcı, the French duo maintained an 8-2 lead before closing out the match 8-4.
- Quarterfinals: A tense 7-5 victory over Ukraine’s Dmytro Hrachov cemented their semifinal spot.
- Semifinals: Against the Netherlands’ Rick van den Oever, they held a commanding 7-3 lead before completing the 8-4 win.
In the final against Italy’s Mauro Nespoli and Marco Galiazzo, the French duo capitalized on early mistakes from their opponents. “We knew we had to be patient,” Addis said in his post-match interview. “The first two arrows in each end were crucial—if we could force them into pressure situations, we had the technique to finish them off.”
View the moment Addis was named Young Archer of the Year at last year’s World Archery Awards
@worldarchery • Aug 4, 2025
Why This Victory Matters: The Olympic Connection
While the European Championships don’t carry Olympic qualification points, this performance serves as a crucial confidence booster for both archers as they prepare for Paris 2024. “This medal is proof that our training methods are working,” said their coach, who requested anonymity. “The pressure of international competition is different, but they’ve shown they can handle it.”
Addis, who was named World Archery’s Young Archer of the Year in 2025, will now carry additional expectations into the Olympic qualification cycle. His consistency in both individual and team events makes him a strong candidate for France’s two Olympic spots in the men’s recurve.
Valladont, meanwhile, brings invaluable experience having competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His ability to remain composed under pressure—demonstrated again in Antwerp—will be critical for France’s team event prospects in Paris.
The Nîmes Phenomenon: How a Southern French City Became Archery’s Powerhouse
This victory continues Nîmes’ remarkable run in world archery. The city, with its historic Roman heritage, has become France’s archery capital thanks to:
- A state-of-the-art training facility opened in 2022 with Olympic-standard ranges
- Dedicated youth development programs that have produced multiple national champions
- A coaching staff that emphasizes both technical precision and mental toughness
“What you’re seeing with Addis and Valladont isn’t just talent—it’s the result of systematic development,” said FFTA Technical Director Laurent Lemoine. “We’re not just producing archers; we’re creating athletes who can perform on the world’s biggest stages.”
Looking Ahead: The Road to Paris
The next major checkpoint for both archers will be the World Archery Championships in Berlin this September, where Olympic qualification points will be on the line. Their current world rankings:
| Archer | Current World Ranking | Best World Ranking | Olympic Qualification Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baptiste Addis | 5 | 4 (2025) | Top 16 in World Ranking or top 4 at World Championships |
| Jean-Charles Valladont | 12 | 9 (2023) | Same as above |
With Paris hosting the Olympics, French archers have the home advantage. “The crowd noise, the pressure of being in front of your own fans—it’s a different animal,” Valladont acknowledged. “But we’ve trained for this scenario. Antwerp was our dress rehearsal.”
Key Takeaways
- Historic Victory: First European team gold for France in men’s recurve since 2016
- Olympic Momentum: Both archers now rank in the top 16 worldwide, with qualification within reach
- Nîmes Dominance: The southern French city continues to produce world-class archers
- Technical Mastery: French duo demonstrated superior consistency in elimination rounds
- Mental Resilience: Ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes proved decisive
How to Follow the French Archers
For updates on Addis and Valladont’s preparation for Paris 2024:
- Follow French Archery Federation for official announcements
- Watch training videos on World Archery’s YouTube channel
- Track rankings on World Archery’s official site
The next major competition will be the World Archery Championships in Berlin, September 10-16, 2024. With their European form now proven, all eyes will be on whether Addis and Valladont can maintain this level of performance on the world stage.
