The French selection process mirrored that of Korea, starting six months ago during five days in September 2022 and steadily eliminating archers, again at a tournament in February, until just eight in each category remained for this final trial last week in St Avertin.
World number 13 Thomas Chirault, who was an Olympian in Tokyo, was an early casualty and didn’t make the last phase.
Pierre Plihon did – but ended the process ranked seventh. Melanie Gaubil and Melodie Richard, who was a team medallist with France at the last world championships in Yankton, finished fifth and seventh on the women’s list, respectively.
Their departures make room for new faces, like that of 20-year-old Bernardi.
“It’s a bit strange to be part of the national team, but it’s an incredible feeling,” he said. “The selections were long, but I was able to come out with some good improvements for the future. Now there is still work to do to get all these points right and prepare for the season ahead.”
The squad will compete at the European Grand Prix in Lilleshall in April, then at the first two stages of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya and Shanghai.
Line-ups for the French teams at the third stage, in Medellin in June, and the Hyundai World Archery Championships will come later.
Trials for the compound squad are scheduled to take place next week.
Header photo courtesy Nicolas Bernardi.
