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Girard, Schloesser denied qualification record as wind picks up in Gwangju

6 September 2025

Gwangju, Korea

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Nicolas Girard scratching his head on the field.

Nicolas Girard topped the compound men’s qualification but fell short of surpassing Braden Gellenthien’s 72-arrow record in the second half at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships.

At the halfway point – after 36 arrows – both he and world number one Mike Schloesser were averaging ahead of the American’s 718 pace. But an increase in wind from arrows 37 to 72 made it difficult for the either archer to make history.

“I’m pretty happy,” said the Indoor Archery World Series Finals runner-up. “The first half was perfect, the conditions were good. The second half there was some wind, that played a role so it was a little more tricky.

“I had a good battle with Mike for the top seed.”

Fittingly, the two compound men who led the 121-athlete field at the Gwangju International Archery Centre were positioned side by side on the shooting line.

Girard, 25, was on target 56C, while the recently crowned Chengdu 2025 World Games Champion Schloesser was on 56D – setting the stage for a captivating tussle for number one seed.

In the already intense humidity, the unpredictability of the side-to-side wind meant that nines – and one eight for Girard – began to creep onto the scoresheets, with team match world record holder Kim Jongho (713) and Central Florida 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup gold medallist Mathias Fullerton (711) entering the fray.

A new world record was not to be, and Gellenthien can rest easy knowing his mark remains intact… for now.

Through the rest of the morning session, the lead yo-yoed between the four, but Girard’s bank of early 10s – 66 in total – was enough to secure the Frenchman his first pole of the outdoor season with 713 points.

Nicolas Girard and Mike Schloesser shooting.

“It’s true that I had it in mind, but I had to put it aside and remain focused on what we were dealing with. I didn’t succeed this time, but maybe another,” Girard said.

Girard’s recent resurgence outdoors and his place at the top of the draw – at least statistically – does not guarantee anything in Gwangju.

In his half of the bracket is Schloesser, who dropped to third as Korea’s Jongho edged into second with one more 10. All three finished on 713.

The margins were razor-thin, but the eighth end was particularly frustrating for the Dutchman.

“One end back there I shot a 57. It was just a stupid mistake, a stupid shot as well, and it just came all together.”

“One end I didn’t want to be at. I wish I had that one back. But in the end, 713 – I had 11 really good ends. It’s just qualification, to get into rhythm, and I felt like I had it today.”

”I’m excited for the rest of this week,” Schloesser concluded.

Never satisfied – the mark of a serial winner. ‘Mister Perfect’ will look to make up for it in Sunday’s eliminations.

In the compound women’s event, Andrea Becerra continued her stellar 2025 form by taking pole with 712.

A hot favourite in Gwangju, the world number one was just one point shy of her career-best 713. She looked the picture of calm on the shooting line, casually chewing gum between arrows.

“I was not chilled, especially at the end,” Becerra laughed when asked about her feelings heading into the last end. I think I started to panic a little with the wind, just not being sure where to aim exactly. But with the help of my coach and looking at everyone’s arrows, it helped me a little bit, just to know where the wind was hitting.”

The compound team eliminations take place this afternoon.