25th title for Jean-Michel SAIVE in Andenne

No surprise at the 82th Belgian table tennis championship in Andenne a small city between Liège and Namur. For Jean-Michel SAIVE it was his 25th victory in 33 appearances from… 1982! At 44 years he looks unbeatable at the Belgian level even when

No surprise at the 82th Belgian table tennis championship in Andenne a small city between Liège and Namur. For Jean-Michel SAIVE it was his 25th victory in 33 appearances from… 1982!

At 44 years he looks unbeatable at the Belgian level even when his brother (42 years) stretched him to the seven sets in quarter final.

In the women competition the young Nathalie MARCHETTI (17 years) retains her crown. And made it triple with the women double and the mixed double But the quest for SAIVE’S 25th crown was far from a formality. Thanks mainly to … Philip his brother who pushed to the 7th set in the quarter -finals. Philippe 42 winner in 1993 and 2003 we had not seen at the National since 2006. Eight years later even if he is no longer at the top of the sporting ambitions his experience can still inflict a crushing 11-1 at number one Belgian at the start of the duel.

“ I’m more excited then I was after my first title. Winning for the first time was a childhood dream now it is fabulous . It pays for all the efforts that I have been through and all my sacrifice on daily basis ” said SAIVE.

Men’s Singles – Semi final J.M. SAIVE – C. NUYTINCK 4 – 3 (-7 4 -5 4 4 -8 4); B. ROGIERS – Y. Vostes  4 – 1 (10 -6 7 11 3). FINAL Jean-Michel SAIVE – Benjamin ROGIERS 4 – 1 (10-12 11-6 11-7 11-3 11-7).

Women’s Singles – Semi final Nathalie MARCHETTI – Margot DEGRAEF 4 – 2 (5 7 -5 9 -8 4); Eline LOYEN  – Lisa LUNG 4 – 1 (8 -8 4 10 8). FINAL Nathalie MARCHETTI – Eline LOYEN 4 – 2 (-9 -12 9 8 10 4).

Men’s Doubles – FINAL Lauric JEAN / Florent LAMBIET – Tim JANSSENS / Robin SAUDEMONT 3 – 1 (-12 2 7 11).

Women’s Doubles – FINAL Nathalie MARCHETTI / Gabriella VINCI – Florence Van ACKER / Lauranne HAECKEMACH 3 – 1 (7 -8 7 5).

Mixed Doubles – FINAL: Nathalie MARCHETTI / Damien DELOBBE – Lauranne HAECKEMACH / Arthur BILLAS 3 – 2 (-10 6 6 -9 13).