The Lebrun effect blows over the table tennis club

Les jeunes avec leurs entraîneurs José et Philippe.

The summer of 2024 with the Olympic Games in Paris has put table tennis in the spotlight thanks to the titles won by the Lebrun brothers, members of the neighboring club of Montpellier.

“Not really a surprise. We had received them twice here at the CIT du Cap-d'Agde for training and it must be recognized that a few years ago they were already amazing with the speed and solidity of their game”, explains Roland Malolepszy, the president of the Agde table tennis club.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The Agde structure relies on two coaches: José Iborra and Philippe Huget. The first has 30 years of service. He started playing ping pong at the age of 16. José Iborra is detached a few hours a week from his work for the City in order to teach at the club but he also works in the schools of the commune. The second began his career in table tennis in Béziers. Philippe Huget then came to Agde, about 15 years ago.

As for the president, a former world champion in disabled table tennis, he has been in charge of the club since 2014. He manages nearly 70 members, young and senior, and this year, with the results of the two Montpellier prodigies, 25 people have picked up their racket again and signed up for the club.

The Agathois structure has 5 teams in competitions and, this year, the flagship team is playing in R3. Thanks to its good results, it will move up to the higher division, R2, next year.

The club's priority is given to local players, no overbidding with players from neighboring clubs. “We want to involve our young people by integrating them at the best level like Mattéo 16 years old and Gaëtan, pillars of this flagship team”, explains the president.

Friendliness is essential in this association and will be a little more so next year for the club's 60th anniversary. “Everyone can come and meet us”, indicates José one of the two coaches. “The door is open, no age limit and the youngest is 4 years old.”

The oldest, often retired, also participate in competitions in the form of cups.

The club is open Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening and Tuesday for recreational table tennis.

Midi Libre correspondent: 06 80 28 29 54.