From January 21 to 23, Nîmes is hosting the 24th edition of Sud de France Nîmes Archery. A competition that has established itself as the flagship tournament of the winter season.
The Covid-19 did not get the better of Sud de France Nîmes Archery. Despite the current health crisis, nearly 750 athletes are gathered in the Gard city from this Friday until Sunday. In total, the competition brings together 27 nationalities, making the tournament the largest archery competition in Europe during the winter period. For the occasion, the event will have a capacity of spectators limited to 2,000 people and will be held between the Palais des Expositions and the Salle du Parnasse.
Lisa Barbelin among the favorites
The spectators present will have the opportunity to encourage the best French people. Indeed, the tricolor archery elite responds this Friday. Thomas Chirault, Pierre Plihon, Jean-Charles Valladont and Lisa Barbelin: they were part of the last Olympic Games in Tokyo and are ambitious in Nîmes. Special mention for Lisa Barbelin, a real revelation of the last few months. The young archer broke Bérengère Schuh’s French record last week. In other words, it will be one of the favorites this weekend.
On the compound bow side, France could also monopolize the podiums. Finalists at the last edition of the Sud de France Nîmes Archery, Adrien Gontier and Jean-Philippe Boulch are back. In this discipline, it is undoubtedly Nicolas Girard who displays the best form. The tricolor archer now has the French record, with a perfect score of 600 points out of 600 possible. Finalist in 2020, he hopes to adorn himself with gold in Nîmes. Among the women, the French team, European champions last year, will be complete with the presence of Sophie Dodémont, Lola Grandjean and Tiphaine Renaudin. For them, it’s a podium goal.
The archery village to discover during the competition
Despite the health restrictions, foreign competition is also there. Steve Wijler, winner of the tournament last year and silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, will be keen to retain his title. Gabriela Schloesser and her husband Mike Schloesser will land as stars in Nîmes. The couple accumulates victories and podiums: a series that they hope to see continue in the Gard.
In addition to the competition, the public present will be able to enjoy the archery village. The latter brings together hardware manufacturers from around the world. The French Archery Federation will also be present on site to support the organization and has a stand at the entrance to the Parc des Expositions. The opportunity to find the official store and an information space on the Hyundai Archery World Cup Paris.
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