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In the heart of Paris, the Lebrun brothers, Felix and Alexis, are making history in French table tennis. Their journey began at a tender age, with Felix's unwavering desire to join his father in the sport.Growing up in a family of paddlers, the brothers were exposed to the game from an early age. Their father, Stephane, and uncle, Christophe Legout, were both accomplished table tennis players. While they dabbled in other sports, ping pong remained their true calling.Felix, the younger brother, quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the world No.5 and the only non-Chinese player in the top five. Alexis, ranked 16th, has also made his mark, notably defeating the then world No.1 Fan Zhendong last year.Together, they led the French team to silver at the World Team Championships in Busan, losing only to China. Their rise to global stardom is attributed to their intense training with each other during the Covid pandemic and the guidance of their first coach, Nathanael Molin.Felix has captured the 2023 European Games gold and several WTT Contender titles, while Alexis has won three consecutive national titles. Their success has made them future challengers to the Chinese dominance in the sport.Despite their sibling rivalry, the Lebruns share a close bond. Alexis is proud of his brother's achievements, while Felix acknowledges his brother's superiority in official matches.Off the court, they spend time together traveling, playing games, and discussing table tennis. Their mother, Dominique, is overjoyed by their success and the strong bond they share.The Lebrun brothers are determined to continue their ascent in the rankings, win major tournaments, and break new ground in world table tennis. Their journey is a testament to their talent, hard work, and the unwavering support of their family.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra's remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics ended in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals on Wednesday, as she succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against higher-ranked Japanese Miu Hirano.Batra, who had scripted history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics, faced a formidable opponent in Hirano. Despite a valiant effort, Batra's uncharacteristic errors proved costly, resulting in a 6-11 9-11 11-9 14-12 8-11 6-11 loss in a match that lasted 47 minutes.The 29-year-old Batra had entered the match with high hopes, having previously defeated France's world number 18 Prithika Pavade 4-0 in the round of 16. However, Hirano's superior experience and skill proved too much for Batra, who suffered her fifth consecutive loss to the Japanese player.Earlier in the day, Batra's compatriot Sreeja Akula had advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's singles competition, providing a glimmer of hope for India in table tennis. Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, had previously reached the round of 32 at the Tokyo Games three years ago.Despite the disappointing result, Batra's performance at the Paris Olympics has been a testament to her determination and resilience. She has once again showcased her exceptional talent and has inspired countless young Indians to pursue their dreams in table tennis.

China's table tennis world number one Wang Chuqin suffered a shocking defeat in the men's Olympic singles on Wednesday, a day after having his bat broken. The incident occurred after Wang won mixed doubles gold on Tuesday in Paris, but his elation quickly turned to anger when a photographer accidentally snapped his bat while jostling to take a picture.Less than 24 hours later, Wang went out in the round of 32 of the singles after a 4-2 defeat to Truls Moregard of Sweden. The 26th-ranked Moregard sank to the floor in disbelief and put his hands on his head, before doing a tour of the crowd, who rose in appreciation after roaring on the underdog throughout.It capped a mixed couple of days for Wang, 24. With his playing partner Sun Yingsha, they beat North Korea in the mixed doubles final, but Wang admitted he "lost control of my emotions a little" after his bat was broken. A familiar bat and its grip can be of vital importance to table tennis players.Wang, however, refused to blame his replacement bat for his stunning defeat to the unheralded Moregard, 22. "It didn't really have an influence on the match," he told AFP. "It was just that my opponent played really, really well."Wang will next compete in the men's team event. The triumphant Moregard said he "had a feeling I could beat him today", having never done so before in eight previous attempts. "I've almost never taken a set against Wang so it's crazy to win here at the Olympics," the Swede, into the last 16 for the first time, told AFP.Moregard, who is coached by his older brother Malte, said Wang was not at his best -- but said it had nothing to do with the Chinese player's bat. "I think you have 10 rackets at least and 500 rubbers here, so it doesn't matter if you lose your bat. I mean, I don't know which one is my first or third, so it doesn't matter," he said.Wang may have lost, but China remains the undoubted superpower of table tennis, having won 32 of the 37 available golds since it became an Olympic sport.

North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong made history by winning their country's first Olympic medal in eight years, claiming silver in the mixed doubles table tennis event at the Paris Games. The duo's impressive performance came after a hard-fought 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 defeat to China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.China, the undisputed table tennis powerhouse, has dominated the sport at the Olympics, winning 32 of the 37 available gold medals since its inception. However, they missed out on the mixed doubles title in Tokyo three years ago. Wang and Sun rectified that with their victory, setting the stage for a potential clean sweep of table tennis golds in Paris.North Korea, which skipped the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train with the Chinese team in preparation for Paris. Kim acknowledged the invaluable lessons they learned from the world's best."We had some time with the Chinese team, which is the world's best," said Kim. "Of course it wasn't enough in the end. We had a good performance but there are some regrets. We learned a lot from them."Despite their defeat, Ri and Kim remained optimistic, vowing to return stronger. "We hope to do better next time and win the gold," said Kim.Wang and Sun, who have not lost outside China in four years, faced an unfamiliar challenge in the North Korean pair. "It's quite rare to have a North Korean pair in international competition," said Sun. "We had never played them before. They have strengths and they have been able to beat a lot of opponents. They have a distinctive style."After a close first game, China took control, but North Korea fought back to level the match. China regained the lead, but North Korea once again showed their resilience. Ultimately, the Chinese pair prevailed, but Sun admitted that the loss in Tokyo had motivated them."All of us were so devoted, we invested a lot," said Sun. "Every match we had certain difficulties but we backed each other up and we got to the final and beat such a good team."

Xia Lian Ni, the 61-year-old table tennis legend from Luxembourg, continues to defy age at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As the oldest competitor in her event, she has already made history by becoming the oldest player to record a win at the Games.Xia Lian's journey to the Olympics has been remarkable. Born in Shanghai, China, she represented her country and won gold medals in various mixed and individual events. However, she retired early and moved to Europe, where she resumed her table tennis career.In 2000, at the age of 37, Xia Lian made her Olympic debut. Since then, she has qualified for every subsequent Games. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she became the oldest Olympian to play table tennis.Xia Lian's longevity and success are attributed to her unwavering determination and rigorous training regimen. She trains for several hours each day, focusing on both physical and mental aspects of the game. Her husband, Tommy Danielsson, a former Swedish table tennis player, serves as her coach and training partner.Despite her age, Xia Lian remains competitive against opponents who are half her age. Her experience and tactical acumen allow her to overcome physical limitations. She is known for her exceptional footwork, quick reflexes, and ability to anticipate her opponents' moves.Xia Lian's participation in the Paris Olympics is not only a testament to her athleticism but also an inspiration to athletes of all ages. She proves that age is just a number and that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.On Wednesday, July 31, Xia Lian will face No. 1 seeded Sun Yingsha of China in the round of 32. While she acknowledges the challenge, she remains optimistic and determined to give her best performance.

Zhiying Zeng, a 58-year-old table tennis player from Chile, has defied age and adversity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her journey to the Olympic stage has been a testament to her unwavering determination and the unwavering support of her family.Zeng's table tennis journey began in China, where she was born into a family passionate about the sport. Her mother, a table tennis coach, nurtured Zeng's talent from a young age. By the age of 16, Zeng had become a member of the Chinese national team. However, her Olympic dreams were shattered when a rule change exposed her weakness.Undeterred, Zeng moved to Chile in 1989 to become a table tennis coach. She resumed playing a few years later and won two national-level tournaments. However, she put her career on hold again to focus on her son's table tennis aspirations.In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Zeng picked up the paddle once more. Initially, it was just for exercise, but she soon rediscovered her love for the sport. With the encouragement of her family and friends, she began competing in regional tournaments.At the age of 57, Zeng qualified for the 2023 South American Table Tennis Championships. Her performance at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago was nothing short of sensational, earning her a spot on the Chilean team for the Paris Olympics.Zeng's qualification for the Olympics was a poignant moment for her 92-year-old father, who had stayed awake until 5 a.m. in China to witness his daughter's triumph. He had been the one to take her to training sessions as a little girl, and now, decades later, his dream had come true.Despite losing in the preliminary rounds of the Paris 2024 qualifiers, Zeng remains unfazed. Her journey has been an inspiration to countless others, proving that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one's dreams.

India's Harmeet Desai's Olympic debut in men's singles table tennis came to an end on Sunday after a disappointing 0-4 loss to world no. 5 Felix Lebrun of France in the second round. The 31-year-old from Surat struggled to find his rhythm against the 17-year-old local hopeful, going down 8-11 8-11 6-11 8-11 in just 28 minutes.Desai, who was part of the Indian team that won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022, had progressed to the second round with a convincing 4-0 victory over Jordan's Zaid Abo Yaman on Saturday. However, his performance against Lebrun was a far cry from his showing in the opening round match.Desai had come into the Olympics after playing in three preparatory tournaments and undergoing personal training in Germany. However, he was unable to replicate his form in the second round, as Lebrun's aggressive play and quick reflexes proved too much for the Indian.Earlier, veteran Sharath Kamal, making his fifth Olympics appearance, also suffered a shock exit in the men's singles competition. The 39-year-old lost 2-4 (12-10 9-11 6-11 7-11 11-8 10-12) to Deni Kozul of Slovenia, ranked 86 places below him.With Desai and Kamal's exits, India's campaign in men's singles table tennis at the Tokyo Olympics has come to an end. The focus will now shift to the women's singles competition, where Manika Batra and Sutirtha Mukherjee will be representing India.

Paris Olympics 2024: India's Day 2 Schedule and Medal HopesDay 2 of India's campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be action-packed, with several medal contenders taking center stage.Shooting: Manu Bhaker's Redemption QuestManu Bhaker, India's pistol shooting sensation, will be the focus of attention as she aims to secure the country's first medal at the Games. After a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Bhaker is determined to make amends. She will compete in the women's 10m air pistol final, where she will face stiff competition from Hungarian ace Veronika Major.Badminton: Sindhu and Prannoy Begin CampaignsTwo-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will kick off her women's singles campaign against FN Abdul Razzaq of Maldives. Sindhu, who was India's flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony, will be looking to add to her impressive medal tally. HS Prannoy will also begin his men's singles journey, facing Fabian Roth of Germany.Archery: Women's Team Targets SemifinalsThe Indian women's archery team, comprising Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari, will aim for a semifinal spot in the team event. They will face either France or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.Other EventsElavenil Valarivan will compete in the women's 10m air rifle qualification, while Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta will represent India in the men's 10m air rifle qualification.In table tennis, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, and Sreeja Akula will open their respective singles campaigns.Balraj Panwar will participate in the men's single sculls repechage in rowing.Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu will represent India in the men's 100m backstroke and women's 200m freestyle swimming events, respectively.In tennis, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will play in the men's doubles round 1, while Sumit Nagal will face Corentin Moutet of France in the men's singles round 1.

Indian table tennis star Harmeet Desai made a triumphant debut at the Paris Olympics, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Jordan's Zaid Abo Yaman in the men's singles preliminary round. The 31-year-old from Surat showcased his exceptional skills and experience, dominating the match from start to finish.Desai, ranked 103rd in the world, faced little resistance from his opponent, who is ranked 538th. The Indian paddler quickly established his rhythm, winning the first game 11-7. He maintained his momentum in the subsequent games, taking them 11-9, 11-5, and 11-5. The match lasted a mere 30 minutes, highlighting Desai's superior technique and tactical prowess.Desai's victory marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Having competed in numerous international tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games where he won team gold medals in 2018 and 2022, the Olympics had remained an elusive dream. His determination and hard work have finally paid off, as he now stands among the elite table tennis players on the world's grandest sporting stage.In preparation for the Olympics, Desai participated in three preparatory tournaments and underwent rigorous personal training in Germany. His dedication and commitment to the sport are evident in his performance at Paris. He is one of two Indian men's singles players competing in the Olympics, alongside veteran Sharath Kamal.Desai's victory has ignited hope and excitement among Indian table tennis enthusiasts. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with perseverance and unwavering belief, anything is possible. As the competition progresses, Desai will undoubtedly face tougher challenges, but his impressive start has set the tone for a memorable Olympic journey.