European Championships | 9 Oct 2024

Alexis LEBRUN: Ready to Fight

Three-time French national champion Alexis LEBRUN (born August 27, 2003) is coming to Linz as seed no. 6 at the forthcoming LIEBHERR European Championships (October 15th to 20th).

In 2022, Alexis defeated Simon GAUZY to become the national singles champion of France. In March 2023, he retained his French national championship title by defeating his younger brother Félix in the final.

In the same year, Alexis achieved a major breakthrough by defeating then-world no. 1 FAN Zhendong in five games during the quarterfinals of the Macao tournament. Ranked 1050 in the world in January 2022, Alexis advanced rapidly to become world no. 19 by April 2023, at just nineteen years old.

At the 2023 European Games, Alexis won the bronze medal in the men’s singles event, while his younger brother Félix claimed the gold. Later, in February 2024, Alexis, as part of the French men’s national team, competed in the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea, alongside Félix LEBRUN, Simon GAUZY, Jules ROLLAND, and Lilian BARDET. Team France won the silver medal, losing in the final to Team China (3-0). This marked the first time in 27 years that the French men’s national team medaled at the World Team Table Tennis Championships—the last being a silver in 1997.

Team France had another fantastic result at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they reached the medal podium.

Can you describe your emotions playing at the Olympics and winning a medal?

"It was just unbelievable… playing my first Olympics at home and winning a medal. I experienced extraordinary emotions, which we were able to share with the whole team. It was a fantastic moment."

What is your strongest memory from Paris 2024?

"The celebration at the France club, without hesitation. Seeing the fervor of the French supporters and being able to share everything we experienced with them was crazy."

After a busy media week following the Paris Olympics, Alexis and Félix spent their break together with family and friends in Barcelona.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming LIEBHERR European Championships in Linz?

"I feel good at the moment. I think we have a really strong doubles team with Félix, and in singles, I feel my level is increasing. I’m coming with the ambition of going for a title or medals."

If you were to make a prediction, who do you think will make it to the medal podium at Linz?

"It's hard to say, there are a lot of players in good form and very strong. So, I'll say Simon, Félix, and me," Alexis said, laughing.

Who do you believe are the most in-form players in Europe right now?

"It’s also very difficult to say, as there haven’t been many tournaments since the Olympic Games. With their results, Truls [Möregårdh] and Félix seem to be in good shape, but I think many other players are as well. It’s going to be a great battle."

How would you describe your current physical condition?

"Ready to fight!"