They are a youthful, in form team, full of energy and buoyed by recently succeeding in India’s national World Championship trials as are USA who also have reigning World Cup champion Lutz within their ranks.
But elder statesman Boulch at 34 led France by example and didn’t look out of place at all at the Vallehermoso Stadium on Wednesday despite scorching temperatures in Madrid, nailing all eight of his arrows in the 10-ring against USA.
“I think it’s a good team too and we’ll see it in the gold medal match,” added Bouchal who last won gold in the team discipline at the Medellin 2022 World Cup.
It would be a triumphant outdoors return for the gentle giant following a year out form outdoors action, but France will have to get through Korea on Saturday’s stage.
The two countries have faced each other on numerous occasions in recurve, the most memorable one recently being the recurve men’s team gold medal match at Paris 2024.
A rematch of it occurred in Shanghai which Korea emerged victorious as they did at Les Invalides in a 6-0 drubbing.
Now, it is the compound men’s teams turn.
“It’s been a long time to be in the final mission, and we know each other well, so we’re just going to try our best to get the gold,” said compound men’s team world record holder Kim Jongho.
Korea also won the compound women’s team bronze.
Competition continues this afternoon in Madrid with recurve qualifying.
