In a match that felt like déjà vu (the two table tennis players had met during the first singles of the small team final at the Olympics this summer), “Féfé” started without trembling, winning the first set without being worried and returning the second when he was trailing 5-1.
The third was just a simple formality against the Japanese, without solutions, who will not exceed the 6 point mark. Under the watchful eye of his brother Alexis, Félix will still have to try twice to write his story. After conceding the fourth set (8-11), his characteristic cries of rage after each winning point returned. Before the final point of liberation (11-4) and a celebration, already legendary, on the table. The grown-ups’ table.
“I wanted to do it in the final,” he confided with a smile on his face. I’ve never done it and it’s a blast! Especially with the clapping, just to thank the audience. »
An audience under the spell of the Lebrun siblings who undoubtedly pushed the table tennis player towards victory. “Given my results when we play in France, it helps me more than it stresses me. I don’t know what it would have taken to fight but I played at my best level, the player enjoyed in the mixed zone, trophy at his feet. When I play at this level, I manage to compete and beat the best. Even at the Olympics, I played less well. »
Already considered one of the leaders in world ping, Félix came to conclude a crazy month of October for the Lebrun brothers. Earlier on Sunday, he achieved his first feat by dismissing world number 2 Lin Shidong four sets to zero. And this while the Chinese table tennis player remained in 19 matches without defeat and won three tournaments, including the Grand Smash in Beijing.
The prince of today, the king of tomorrow. Félix Lebrun wins the first major title for French table tennis. Historical. 🌟 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/P3tW9Ls4SC
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) October 27, 2024
Barely a week ago, with Alexis Lebrun, he was crowned European champion in doubles, the same day as the coronation of his elder (21 years old) in singles. Two months earlier, the brothers had collected two bronze medals at the Olympic Games, in singles for Félix and in teams with Simon Gauzy.
