On May 3 and 4 were the Jacques Hélaine national tournament. A second edition under this banner, but already a great success and a superb honor of the former pongist, who unfortunately left us in 2022.
Right now, many personalities, alas disappeared, are highlighted through Amiens. Whether it is Jacques Bataille, Paul Imiéla or Jacques Hélaine. Although this national tournament has already been organized for many years by ASTT, it is only since the disappearance in October 2022 that The name of Jacques Hélaine naturally came to bind to this competition. In 2023, for the first edition under this name, around a hundred rippage had come. This year, no less than 270 athletes responded. If the 2024 tournament had not taken place for the causes of work in the Labaume room, the 2025 edition will have been a great success, including former president Jacques Hélaine, both the club and the table tennis federation, would surely have been very proud, he who lived for this Sport.
Under the eyes of the Hélaine family, the tournament took place with few hooks, if not the dissatisfaction of certain competitors, alas compulsory, during tournaments with open paintings. Except that, Volunteers will have done colossal workwhether at the reception, the refreshment bar or on the scores and the arbitration table. The meetings were varied, you could see a young person facing a player with more experience and perhaps less hair. Likewise, mixed meetings took place because if a painting was reserved for female sections, the others were open to everyone. Regarding logistics, the habit of the organization of competitions has been felt, with a effective and fast implementationbut started early in the morning, to the delight of the tard raising. Although stress was present on D -Day, because never immune to a possible computer problem, the competition was able to take place without too many problems.
Obviously, behind the name of Jacques Hélaine, shows up the desire of the club to remember the people who counted. Indeed, just the gymnasium bears the name of the first president: Albéric Labaume. A work of memory is carried out by the Amiens structure with the second room bearing the name of Jean Royon, or the clubhouse entitled Stéphane Baert. Four emblematic figures of the club, which will have devoted part of their time to the development of the latter. For Béatrice Hélaine, widow of Jacques, this tournament is special: “Of course, emotions are shared, because the tournament is something that we establish to honor someone who has marked in his life. So there, it’s table tennis. And it is really an honor that we give him to give this name to a table tennis tournamentespecially ASTT, which is very expensive to its heart. »» The former president of the French Table Tennis Federation did a lot for ASTT. He will have enriched, brought financial and human means to try to prosper the structure at a high level. If the loss of Jacques will have been huge for Beatrice, she admits to going better now. After two very difficult years, she begins “Now to relive, to get a taste, to share good times with family, with friends. »»
This tournament also allows young people to practice this sport, so dear to the heart of Jacques Hélaine, he who from his 9-10 years enjoyed playing before living “La Folie Ping”. His wife shared this passion through travel by providing physical and moral support, she admits, however, not having persisted in practice, although her husband insisted that she had a good setback. Now down in relation to this sport, It remains linked to the club and the little white ballespecially with the most famous siblings in the environment, the Lebrun. “I see their exploits at the Olympic Games. Jacques would have been happy to participate, to go there. When we see the exploits of the Lebrun brothers and so on, it is true that it really gives balm to the heart. And we see that the ping-pong, now it is recognized. And that really pleases, this recognition with players who are starting to emerge and go up and go up. And these leaders are there to help them go up. »»
-This tournament will have gathered 270 passionate of the white or orange ball, through 13 paintings. Among the striking results, it should be noted The great performance of the current presidentwhich resumed the racket for a beautiful second place, while Benjamin Fruchart won in the final against Mathieu de Saintilan, best defender in France. The complete results can be found: here. A very beautiful edition and a vibrating tribute to a great man of table tennis.
Cyprien Baude
Photo credit: Théo Bégler – Gazettesports.fr
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