CLUB OF THE YEAR IN THE GARD (2/3). The JS Chemin-Bas d’Avignon made the Gard talk on the national scene with its heroic career in the French Football Cup. Just like the two Gard clubs which shine every year at the highest French level of their sport: Usam in handball and the Arc club of Nîmes in archery.
The women’s team of the Arc club of Nîmes had been waiting for this for 20 years. In 2021, she became French Division 1 champion again by beating Issy-les-Moulineaux in the final. A first since 2001, when the Nîmes won three consecutive titles.
Despite the difficulties encountered, Mélanie Gaubil, Erika Jangnas, Manon Royer and Lisa Soenen did not lose a single match. “They were able to turn around badly embarked situations several times”, explains Olivier Grillat, manager of the Arc club of Nîmes. “The atmosphere and the confidence in the team were great. 2021 has been a difficult year because of the Covid but the main sporting objectives have been achieved.”
On the men’s side, 10th in the French D1 championship, it was necessary to look for the positive points in the individual performances. The Olympic vice-champion in Rio in 2016, Jean-Charles Valladont participated in his third Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan.
While aiming for gold, the tricolor archer was eliminated in the 32nd round. His club partner, Pierre Plihon, also stopped at this stage of the competition. As a team, the Blues went to the round of 16 of the Olympic Games.
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