2,000 spectators expected at <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/the-world-elite-gathered-in-nimes/" title="The world elite gathered in Nîmes“>Parnassethis evening, in Nîmes… it’s what we call Lebrun-mania! Felix and Alexis Lebrun, the prodigy brothers of French table tennis, play at Parnasse at 7 p.m. with their club: the Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier, against Hennebont, in Pro A. The first is a bronze medalist at the Olympics, the second champion of Europe and since the Olympic Games, they have become real stars.
France Bleu Gard Lozère received this Thursday morning Alain Lauferon, the president of the ASPC Nîmes and co-president of the Nîmes-Montpellier table tennis alliance.We can talk about Lebrun-mania : they carry the revival of table tennis on their shoulders. It was a movement that had already been initiated, the Olympics catalyzed the phenomenon. Then, their results mean that they are often in the media headlines and it is deserved.“But what is so endearing about the Lebrun brothers?”They are natural. They win the titles, but they don’t change, they remain themselves“, estimates Alain Lauferon.
The Lebrun effect in federations
And the Lebrun effect is not only measured in sporting events, it is also seen in federations: “The French table tennis federation is in the process of exploding its number of licensees. It has just passed the mark of 250,000 licensees and hopes to go up to 180,000, it is historic.“In Nîmes, we note an increase of 20%: 200 licensees last year compared to 240 to date.
Et the curve should continue to climb : “the calendar is a bit crazy, there is the championship, which is demanding because the level is high in France, the WTT circuit, the European championships and the world championships which are looming in China“They never get tired, Alexis and Felix? “Yes, but it’s the staff’s job to calibrate their program, the team makes sure it goes well.”
Table tennis becomes a discipline phare In France “it allows us to escape from the anonymity that was ours until 2.3 seasons ago. Our private partnership is evolving very favorably.”
The Lebrun brothers’ next match in Nîmes will be November 14 against Cergy-Pontoise at Parnasse.. For this evening of the 31st, there are still places available for 10 euros.
