13 March 2007 - Interview with Bérengère Schuh (FRA), Indoor World Champion at 19 years old

Interview with Bérengère Schuh (FRA) Izmir - 13 March 2007   Indoor World Champion at 19 years old, Bérengère Schuh still thrives for medals. Interview with an archer that would like to shoot faster than her shadow.   Bérengère, you became Indoor World Champion in Nimes 2003, at home and at 19 years old! Do you remember your feelings at that time? During the competitions, I was floating off the ground! It came to reality only one week later when I saw the competition highlights on TV. Then, I told myself : it’s done, let’s move on. The outdoor season started and I didn’t think too much again about my title.   The Outdoor discipline, where the critics would say you didn’t fulfill all the expectations… My style is more adapted to Indoor ! I am waiting the last 45 seconds then I shoot my three arrows. Outdoor, I am also waiting the last 2 minutes to release my six arrows. However it is not efficient when there is wind. I am also shooting with a 34 pounds bow so I am lacking a bit of power.   Why are you waiting so long before shooting ? I am looking for perfection but when I take too much time to shoot, I am also taking too much time to think… I am thinking about all the skills elements and it doesn’t work. So now I am waiting and then shoot the arrows quickly.   But you could shoot rapidly since the beginning, and then you could wait if there is wind. You are still young and could perfect your skill ? I was shooting since the beginning, but now I feel better waiting. I doubt I would score more points, if I was shooting differently. I still had some good results Outer in my career, notably a 4th place in team at the Athens Olympic Games.   Moreover, you are really good Indoor. After your world title in 2003, you have become European Champion in 2006 and you were 2nd at the Nimes International tournament this year. What happened in 2005 ? Actually, I could not take part at the 2005 Worlds. I was in the INSEP team with our Korean coach. He clearly put the priority on Outdoor and we had to pass on the full Indoor season. At this time, I was really disappointed no to be able to defend my title.   The famous INSEP (National Institute of Sports and Physical Education) in France. It has so much sports talents… How is it ? We can study the curriculum we want (4-5 hours) and we have a lot of time and facilities to practice. For example, there are 4 women in Recurve and they shoot 300-400 arrows per day.   Are you still at INSEP ? Only for the studies, I am finishing a BTS (Bachelor) in Computer Sciences. However, I could not stay in the sports program. I integrated another part of the French team, which allows international archers to train by themselves. I joined a club and I am shooting about 150-200 arrows day, which I like better. It also allows me to do the Indoor season ! However, I can still try out for the World Cup events. In a couple of weeks, we’ll have the trials in France with the 4 girls from the INSEP group and the 14 from the other group. During three days, we’ll do a double FITA Round and match plays the last days. The top 6 will be named into the Team France, but only the top 2-3 will go the World Cup Stage 1 in Ulsan. If they achieve satisfying results (16th in Individuals or 6th in team), they will go to the Stage 2. If not, the team management will decide on potential alternatives. The goal is to be in the team of the Leipzig World Championships and to qualify for the Olympic Games 2008.   These Olympic Games are in 18 months, but you seem already motivated… Yes ! After we felt just short of a team medal in 2004, I would like to go back and win it this time. However, the team will be different. I think that 6-7 girls in France can qualify but we must also raise our level.   Are you training specifically for the Leipzig World Championships ? This year, we must concentrate more on the FITA Rounds to be ready for the World Cup and the Championships. We must train on the four distances (30, 50, 60, 70 m). This helps consistency and it is good to have a good ranking before the matches.   Yes but after the FITA Round, you enter the match-play, which are only on 12 arrows at 70m. Shouldn’t you concentrate more on matches ? In my club, it is difficult because no one has really the same level. In the national team, the coach will decide. I also try to gain some power and shoot with 35 pounds. It would be only one pound more than now but it is already an advantage. A while ago, I tried to shoot 37 pounds, but I had many injuries or tendonitis.   What physical conditioning do you do? I do swimming, running and physical fitness. However, I do not want to become too massive either… Actually, I was a good swimmer as a kid before I started archery at 12 years old.   What is your strength in archery ? The guts I think : the willingness to hit the bull’s eye whatever happens. It doesn’t matter if there is wind and if my technique is not so good that day.   Are you confident with the start of these World Championships in Izmir ? Yes. I do my best indoor season ever ! I shot 587 pts average in qualifications, including 591 in Nimes (redaction note : this performance would equal the world record). I also shot a lot of good matches. However, my bow was stolen just after Nimes and I had some trouble with my second bow although my supplier Hoyt and Arc System sent some material quickly. Now, it is going better.   So you are going for gold ? I don’t put too much pressure on myself but I would be happy to get a medal. I have seen quite some good archers arriving here, like Valeeva (ITA), four times World Champion ! There is also the German who were really good this winter. In any case, if I shoot at the level I can, I should be alright. Let’s not forget that the French team is the current World Champion, but the whole team is new here. We’ll see !   Good Luck !   Didier Miéville FITA Communication