Perhaps she will be the youngest athlete ever elected? At 12 years old, table tennis player Albane Rochut is in the running to win the Mayenne sportsman of the year awardwhich will be presented on Friday December 20, 2024 at Espace Mayenne in Laval.
Congratulations… from the Lebrun brothers
Albane Rochut already has all the makings of a great… and is already well known to high-level athletes. As evidenced by its wallpaper: a photo of her alongside Alexis Lebrun. With his brother Félix, the French table tennis player caused a sensation at the Paris Olympic Games this summer. “Albane was waiting in line to get an autograph, says Aude, her mother. And we realized that they knew her, that they were following her. They said to him “But you wouldn’t play ping-pong, you’re Albane, right?” It’s pretty crazy when you’re parents to witness this.” Albane, too, couldn’t believe her ears. “I told the parents, ‘No, it’s not possible!’ And in fact, yes, it was true,” smiled the young girl.
Today, Albane is already 2nd in its category in France (U13), and often faces opponents much older than her. A talent noticed four years ago by Clément Maguery, his trainer at US Changé. “She did well with both hands, and I don’t see that often! And then she was very clever. She could move quickly too. We really need this little clever side in table tennis. And then we very quickly understood that she was a real competitor.“
“It’s like we’re all brothers and sisters.”
Even today, the qualities of the young table tennis player reside in particular in her determination, according to her coach. “When we learn a new move in training, she will get angry the first time when she realizes that she won’t be able to do it. And then the next day she’ll come back. Then she will try it again for an hour, all alone in her corner. When there is something she can’t do, she has to try by all means to succeed.“
In September, the young athlete returned to the Nantes Hope Center. 20 hours of training per week and a new life far from her parents, but surrounded by fellow athletes like her. “We’re the same age, we play sports. It’s like we’re all brothers and sisters, in quotes.“The one who admits preferring to hold her racket rather than her pen still highlights the chance of having a reduced number of people in class.”And then the teachers too, they adapt quickly, because they know that we can’t be in class every day.“
A pace of life worthy of that of a high-level sportswoman… but which also has a financial cost, explains Aude, her mother, who is launching a call for sponsors. “There is little help from the league, from the committee. But we still have to pay for it, between courses, competitions, school… Over a year, we easily reach €15,000..” Next step for Albane Rochut: the French table tennis championships, which will be held in spring 2026 in Laval.
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