Emmanuel Macron participated this Friday in some exchanges with table tennis player Félix Lebrun on the sidelines of his official trip to China. The President of the Republic and the best French player challenged the world stars of table tennis on a few points.
After Alexis and Félix, the French ping may have discovered the third Lebrun brother this Friday in Chengdu in China. In the wake of the defeat of the French team against Hong Kong during the Mixed Team World Cup, a setback synonymous with elimination, the blue table tennis players were entitled to a visit from Emmanuel Macron.
On a diplomatic trip to China, the President of the Republic took advantage of the official trip to exchange a few balls with the table tennis stars. Unlike November 2024 when Alexis Lebrun played against the head of state, this time Emmanuel Macron was associated with Félix Lebrun (best Frenchman and 6th in the WTT) during a doubles against Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong, respectively world number 1 and 2 in singles.
Macron smiling despite a “trap” set by Félix Lebrun
Under the amused and smiling gaze of other members of the French teams (Simon Gauzy, Prithika Pavada, Charlotte Lutz, Jia Nan Yuan and the coaches) and China, the president played a few balls.
Not helped by his costume, not really the ideal outfit for playing ping, Emmanuel Macron was not unworthy and performed rather well. Certainly, we will not comment further on the few direct errors committed by the President of the Republic during the exchanges.
On the other hand, we will note his big smile when he asked Félix Lebrun to let go of his shots with a “go on, go ahead” before a forehand slap from the French number 1 to conclude a point. We will also highlight his handsome playful side after the little “trap” set by the youngest of the Lebrun brothers when lifting a ball a little to allow Wang Chuqin to place a quick attack against Emmanuel Macron.
Voluntary and involved but with a backhand (he did not use his forehand) a little too limited, President Macron should therefore not reconvert to ping with a view to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. To hope for a medal in the United States, France will instead rely on the real “Glasses Brothers”, Félix and Alexis Lebrun.
