French compound squad revealed for Antalya and Shanghai

France has named seven archers to its compound team for the first two stages of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in 2023.

The men’s line-up features two archers nominated for last year’s athlete awards in world numbers two and three Nicolas Girard and Jean Philippe Boulch, as well as world number 11 Adrien Gontier. The trio is joined by 18-year-old Victor Bouleau.

Tiphaine Renaudin, Sandra Herve and 49-year-old veteran international Sophie Dodemont comprise the women’s roster.

Compound trials took place in Compiègne on 24-26 March, one week after the French recurve squad was announced.

The French compound men’s team is the current world number one and enters this season with high expectations, having been dominant on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit in 2022. Boulch, Gontier and Girard – the line-up by the end of the year – completed a run of four consecutive finals at the fourth stage in Medellin, winning the last two.

“I’m proud to represent France once again,” said Girard, who was a breakout candidate last season after winning his home event in Paris. “And I’m very happy to go to the first two stages of the World Cup, especially as I have always dreamed of shooting in Shanghai.”

The 22-year-old was runner-up at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final last October.

Bouleau, who won the first Indoor Archery World Series Youth Finals in Nimes in January, knocked Quentin Baraer out of the squad. Former world champion Seb Peineau also missed the cut.

Antalya will mark Bouleau’s first appearance at the senior level.

There’s a 31-year age gap between the youngest (Bouleau) and oldest members of the squad.

Sophie Dodemont was just 17 when she made her international debut at the first World Archery Youth Championships in 1991 – as a recurve archer. A 10-year hiatus, an Olympic team medal and a bowstyle switch later, the 49-year-old remains a force on the world stage.

Work commitments split her focus in 2022 – she’s a police officer – but she returns committed this season.

“I’m really happy and I can’t wait to get back to the World Cup shooting range,” she said.

Dodement and Renaudin were European team champions together in 2021.

The French compound squad for the third and fourth stages of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, and this summer’s Hyundai World Archery Championships, will be named after the first two legs of the national championships held in May and June.

French compound team for 2023

• Compound men: Nicolas Girard, Jean Philippe Boulch, Adrien Gontier and Victor Bouleau.
• Compound women: Sophie Dodemont, Tiphaine Renaudin and Sandra Herve.