Nicolas Girard added to his impressive outdoor season with victory in the compound men’s final at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships, not dropping a single point.
He edged world number two Mathias Fullerton, 150-149, with both archers heading into the fifth end on perfect 120s. But the Dane faltered at the last hurdle, landing his only nine with his 13th arrow.
Girard – also the top men’s compound seed this week – seized the opportunity and closed with a 100% record in the 10-ring.
“I admit I still have a bit of trouble really feeling it,” he said after being greeted by raucous cheers and whistles from his French teammates in the warm-up tent. “For sure, the welcome my friends gave me touched me a lot.
“Throughout the outdoor season, my goal was to make it onto the podium at the World Championships, so all the World Cups helped me try to raise my level.”
“I hadn’t planned on showing this [a 150 in the gold medal match], but I think I succeeded today, and that’s really good.”
Girard’s journey to gold at 5.18 Democracy Square had all the makings of a World Archery Champion – one that Sebastien Peineau, the last Frenchman to win the title in Mexico City in 2017, would be proud of.
The morning’s last-16 was a smooth opener, another 150 against Türkiye’s Batuhan Akcaoglu’s 147. Then came a comeback – and a touch of revenge – against India’s newly crowned team gold medallist Rishabh Yadav, who led 117-116 after four ends. But two wide nines scuppered the Indian’s chances, as Girard finished strongly to win, 146-145.
It was the second time the two had faced off this week after the team final.
