“It doesn’t feel different just yet,” he admitted. But then, it’s only been a couple of days since Seb left his job in retail. “But this is my dream, my passion since I was young and now it’s true: I’m a pro!”
Just after finishing official practice at the World Archery Indoor Championships in Ankara, Turkey, Seb started thinking about how it all started.
As a child, he wanted to be an Olympian. He started shooting recurve but, nine years later, a problem with his finger tab hurting his skin ended that dream – and he switched to compound.
“It was very difficult to shoot the recurve. I was shooting between 30 to 40 arrows a day and I was hurting myself. I knew I needed to do something about it,” he said.
Once a compounder, Seb qualified for the French team and he started to travel around the world. Medals and titles started to come, slowly, then flow – and it didn’t take long for Seb to realise he’d made a good decision.
One of his best memories: The 2011 European Indoor Championships held in Cambrils, Spain.
“After one year break from the French team, I arrived in Cambrils with no expectations, although I knew I needed to give my best to be back in form. I had no pressure and I think it helped me.”
“During that tournament, I improved my personal best for the ranking round by five points. I shot 595 and it was one of those competitions in which no matter what I did, all my arrows landed in the 10. I won silver, but it was a special one.”
Back in 2013, Seb thought about the idea of becoming a pro. Working at an archery shop in France with loads of work to do, he knew it was something difficult to happen. Three years later, he saw it was possible.
“Few months ago my sponsors asked me if I could shoot more competitions. Due to my job, I did not think it was going to be possible, but we had some negotiations and now I know that I can be a pro for at least the next three years,” he said, smiling.
“My sponsors had always supported me. For sure this will bring more responsibilities and work, but I will also have more time for my technical preparation, my training and, of course, my wife.”
Over the next month, Seb will get start to get comfortable with his new schedule and think about which new competitions to attend – although, without a doubt he said, his first priority will always be the French team.
As part of France’s national squad in Ankara, he thinks their chances as a team might be good. Individually, he doesn’t dare to predict his performance.
“I don’t set my expectations too high. Here you can shoot 150 points, but lose by one millimetre [in a shoot-off]. It’s a big battle of precision and everyone here wants become an indoor world champion.”
For those whose dream in archery still under construction, Seb has some advice.
“Believe in you, be confident with you and your equipment, keep practising, do what you love and, most of all, trust yourself.”
