The 93es The French senior table tennis championships take place from Friday to Sunday in Antibes in the magnificent setting of the Azur Arena. The Alsatians have medals to defend and ambitions to resell.
With the title of French champion of Can Akkuzu (TT Haguenau Wissembourg) in men’s singles in 2019, the doubles titles of Camille Lutz (TT Saint-Quentin) and the bronze medal of Charlotte Lutz (SU Schiltigheim TT) the year last, the Alsatian representatives set the bar high. Not satisfied, they will be hard at work to expand their record.
In men, Can Akkuzu (n°29) will start with bib n°8. With already a title in his pocket and the application that we know him, the native of Haguenau would gladly play the spoilsport behind the favorites Alexis Lebrun (Montpellier TT, n ° 5), the defending champion Simon Gauzy (Levallois, n °6) or Félix Lebrun (Montpellier TT, n°39).
Recent pains, especially during the Grand Smash in Singapore, however, force him to review his plans. “I don’t have any particular expectations,” he admits. “I played once in ten days. I will see day by day. The main thing is that the body responds present. I’ll do my best. »
Seeded n°15, the ex-Schilikois Joé Seyfried (Saint-Denis, n°49) will also be to follow, as will the Mulhouse resident Célian Besnier (Issy-Les-Moulineaux, n°208).
The doubles in the viewfinder
Among the ladies, Charlotte Lutz (n°25) intends to defend her bronze medal won last year at the Vendéspace in Mouilleron-le-Captif. The No. 4 seed comes out of her first Grand Smash in Singapore, where however disappointment was in order following her entry into the running. “I died at 3e set against the Indian Sreeja Akula, without explanation, while I was leading 8-5”.
With this extra experience despite everything, and a big motivation, she is aiming high on the Côte d’Azur. “I will take game by game, without looking at the board,” she says. “The motivation is there. Defending this medal is close to my heart. »
The French junior champion also has legitimate ambitions in mixed doubles, alongside Félix Lebrun, a recent sparkling semi-finalist in Singapore. “The agreement is good, we are able to seek the title,” she warns.
This mixed doubles title is still the property of his sister Camille Lutz, who won in 2022 alongside Alexis… Lebrun. The duo not being aligned during this edition, the Alsatian of TT Saint-Quentin (n°37) will be able to concentrate on her career in singles, where she will start as seeded n°8. In women’s doubles, she will defend her title well, always alongside Prithika Pavade (Saint-Denis), the current champion of France.
