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A World Championship in the Heart of Black Bass Country
For its 20th edition, the World Black Bass Championship had a special feel to it. Held from October 1?3, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas , the competition took place on the Lake Hamilton , in the United States, a true mecca for sport bass fishing.
In total, 23 countries were competing in this international event. Facing off against the French team was, in particular, an impressive U.S. squad made up of some of the sport?s top competitors, including Kevin VanDam, Dustin Connell, Scott Martin, Dakota Ebare, Ott DeFoe, and Drew Gill.
France, the world's third-largest nation
After three days of particularly hard-fought competition, the United States predictably drew on its knowledge of the terrain and its experience. With 48 penalties , the Americans clinched the world title ahead of South Africa, which finished second with 128 penalties .
But behind these two nations, France pulled off the feat of winning the bronze medal with 186.5 penalty points . A third-place finish at the World Championships that recognizes the consistency of the entire French national team.
The French team was represented by three pairs: Benjamin Da Costa Lopes %E2euros%93 Bastien Nicolay , Mickaël Weill and Sylvain Garza and Adrien Aries %E2euros%93 Clément Bauret , with Romain Marchegay also on the team. Every result counted in helping France secure a spot on the world podium.
Da Costa Lopes and Nicolay Also Take Bronze
France's success isn't limited to the national rankings. Benjamin Da Costa Lopes and Bastien Nicolay also won a bronze medal in the pairs competition.
With 19 penalties , the French finished behind two American pairs. The title went to Kevin VanDam %E2euros%93 Dustin Connell , who put on a remarkable performance with only 8 penalties, ahead of Scott Martin %E2euros%93 Dakota Ebare , in second place with 16 penalties.
Earning a spot on the podium?in the United States and up against some of the world?s most renowned black bass anglers?makes the French team?s performance all the more impressive.
A medal that recognizes months of preparation
This third-place finish worldwide is the culmination of significant work carried out in advance by the FFPS Predator , the competitors and their support staff. The trip to the United States posed not only a sporting challenge but also logistical and financial ones. A crowdfunding campaign had been launched to help the French team participate in this World Championship.
Returning from Arkansas with two bronze medals , one in the team competition and the other in the pairs competition, is therefore a major achievement for French black bass fishing. In the very region where this sport holds a prominent place, the French team has shown that it can compete with the world?s best nations.
Nation Rankings: 1. United States?48 penalties; 2. South Africa?128 penalties; 3. France: 186.5 %E2euros%93 in penalties .
Doubles Podium: 1. Kevin VanDam %E2euros%93 Dustin Connell (United States) %E2euros%93 8 penalties; 2. Scott Martin %E2euros%93 Dakota Ebare (United States) %E2euros%93 16 penalties; 3. Benjamin Da Costa Lopes vs. Bastien Nicolay (France) ? 19 penalties .
