1074 archers from 44 countries for the indoor World Cup stage in Nîmes. And at the end, in the queen category, in recurve, the young Gardois Baptiste Addis, 16 years old beaten at the last arrow by his compatriot Thomas Chirault (25). For 4.3 millimeters! Incredibly suspenseful story.
It would have been, without doubt, one of the greatest sensations in the history of archery. The Gard prodigy Baptiste Addis, 16 years old since December 7, integrated in 2022 into the France seniors group for the Paris 2024 Olympics, was beaten this Sunday in the final in Nîmes, second of the four stages of the Indoor World Cup . Not bad for a 167th in the world!
Two “10” at the shoot-off arrow, incredible outcome
Well, beaten…not really. At the end of the 100% French final, Addis and Chirault, one of the best tricolors and 21st in the world, were tied (5-5 after five rounds). The barrage arrow was going to decide between them. Except that the two training partners at Insep (Paris) did not tremble and took turns doing a 10. In these cases, it is the one closest to the heart of the target (located 18 meters away) who gives victory.
The arrow of Addis (licensed at the Arc-club de Nîmes since September 2022) was measured at 5.2 millimeters from the center. That of Chirault (Clermont-Ferrand) at 0.9 mm. Who therefore won, for 4.3 millimeters, “a very very good victory, one of my most beautiful”, he who was vice-champion of Europe indoors in 2017.
One of the most beautiful victories for one, one of the most beautiful competitions for the other
“It was an incredible match, tense from start to finish, in an always incredible atmosphere here. He had an opportunity to finish, but maybe it was the experience that allowed me to get one last arrow perfect…”, underlined the junior winner in Nîmes in 2015, absent last year because of covid.
For Baptiste Addis, it was the first participation in the Nîmes stage for adults. The student of South Korean Oh Seon-Tek, coach of the France team, therefore came very close to the masterstroke, he who led the game before being caught.
“Regrets, I have some, yes, because I could have finished earlier, but it’s still one of the most beautiful competitions I’ve been able to do. The experience will serve me for the next ones”, confided the native of Orleans who arrived in the Gard, in the small town of Manduel, at the age of 5, where he learned archery at the local club.
Promising for Paris 2024, where the president of the Federation aims for a gold medal
For 3rd place, another Frenchman, the 2022 European indoor champion Clément Jacquey (Belfort), defeated the Australian Alec Potts (6-2). Signing an unprecedented hexagonal hat-trick, which obviously delighted the president of the French Archery Federation, Jean-Michel Cléroy, present on the spot.
“Nîmes is the biggest indoor European tournament (1,074 archers from 44 countries this year, including the American world No. 2 Bradley Ellison, editor’s note). There was a very good field, with a very good French result which highlights the work done in the clubs, regardless of their size. We have ambition and we will aim for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics!”
In Barcelona in 1992, Sébastien Flute became Olympic champion at the age of 20
In Barcelona in 1992, Sébastien Flute was barely 20 years old when he was crowned Olympic champion, to date France’s only title in the discipline. In 2024, Baptiste Addis will be 17 and a half years old.
The 100% French men’s podium, historic! From left to right, Addis (Nîmes), Chirault (Clermont) and Jacquey (Belfort).
