Less than two hours after winning the doubles final, Alexis Lebrun (19th in the world) won again in singles, becoming the third French European table Tennis champion.
Published on 20/10/2024 20:57
Reading time: 2min
“We really have two gems, two ambassadors of our sport”welcomed Gilles Erb, president of the French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT) on Sunday October 20 on franceinfo, after the doubles coronation of Alexis and Félix Lebrun and the singles coronation of Alexis Lebrun during the table tennis championships. Europe in Linz (Austria).
Less than two hours after winning the doubles final, Alexis Lebrun (19th in the world) won again in singles, against the German Benedikt Duda (11-5/11-8/11-6/11-2 ), becoming the 3rd French European table tennis champion.
Two months after their bronze medals won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (one each in doubles and one in singles for Félix), the Lebrun brothers continue their harvest. “We had doubts about our state of preparation following the Olympics”recognizes Gilles Erb. “We didn’t really know what form we were in”says the president of the FFTT, who notes with this European coronation to what extent “Félix Lebrun and Alexis Lebrun have resources (…), this little thing of the champion which means that they manage, in big moments, to be the best and to win these titles.”
These new performances from the Lebrun brothers, but also from Simon Gauzy and Prithika Pavade who won the bronze medal in mixed doubles on Friday, risk bringing even new members to French table tennis. “We are experiencing a completely crazy craze”observes the president of the FFTT. “The wave is too high, we obviously lack sports facilities and supervision to be able to welcome everyone in the best conditions”concedes Gilles Erb, who nevertheless recalls having “launched a major plan to help clubs welcome better and welcome more people”.
