Montpellier delivered a week to remember as local star Felix Lebrun thrilled the home crowd, seizing his first WTT Champions title on home soil. Satsuki Odo made her mark, powering her way to the top in an all-Japanese final.
Montpellier, France – A full house at Sud de France ARENA witnessed the grand finale of WTT Champions Montpellier 2024, as fans roared on the world’s top table tennis stars to crown two new champions. Satsuki Odo emerged victorious in the Women’s Singles, while Felix Lebrun stormed through to clinch the Men’s Singles title, each taking home USD 30,000 and 1000 ITTF World Ranking points. This event marked a historic week for table tennis in France, with over 41,500 fans filling the Infinity ∞ Arena.
This first-ever WTT Series event held in France has delivered an extraordinary week of world-class action, intense matchups, and unforgettable moments as the world’s top 32 competed for WTT Champions glory. Montpellier showcased its status as a hotbed for table tennis and reaffirmed its standing as one of France’s leading sports cities, drawing in record-breaking attendance and a weekend of back-to-back sold-out sessions.
Unstoppable Showdowns: Women’s Singles Semifinals & Final Highlights
In the Women’s Singles semifinals, Miwa Harimoto (JPN) secured her spot in her first WTT Champions final with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Qian Tianyi (CHN). Harimoto turned up the heat in a back-and-forth showdown, ultimately finding her rhythm to close out the match (11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6). Awaiting her was a rising Japanese star, Satsuki Odo (JPN), whose tenacity continued to astound Montpellier. In her thrilling semifinal clash, Odo overcame Cheng I-Ching (TPE) in a tense 4-3 seven-game battle (8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-5), showcasing her ability to rise under pressure and setting up an all-Japanese Women’s Singles final.
In the finals evening, Odo emerged victorious 4-2 over compatriot Harimoto in a six-game epic (11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-4). Odo’s journey to the title is a testament to her rise in the sport; earlier this year, she claimed her first WTT Series singles title at WTT Contender Lima 2024 and added four WTT Feeder Series titles to her name, establishing her name as the new force to be reckoned with.
This victory is a major milestone in her career, and she lifts her first WTT Champions title to an outpour of applause from the French crowd. Currently ranked No.14 in the Race to WTT Finals Fukuoka 2024, this victory places her on track to qualify for the prestigious event this November.
Intense Battles and Triumphs: Men’s Singles Semifinals & Final Highlights
The Men’s Singles semifinals saw hometown favourite Felix Lebrun (FRA) ignite the crowd with an epic 4-0 win over Lin Shidong (CHN). Lebrun, backed by roaring local support, put a halt to Lin’s 19-match win streak on the WTT Series with a sensational performance that ended in Sud de France ARENA erupting in celebration (14-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3). Tomokazu Harimoto (JPN) secured the remaining slot in the final after weathering a spirited challenge from Benedikt Duda (GER), eventually sealing his victory in six hard-fought games (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8).
Lebrun rose to the occasion on Sunday, securing his first WTT Champions title with a powerful 4-1 display against Harimoto (11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4). Riding high on the energy from his home crowd, the 18-year-old dominated from the start, putting his relentless precision and quick-fire offense on full display. Taking the opening three games, Lebrun weathered a fourth-game comeback from Harimoto but reasserted his momentum to seal victory in the fifth.
This win adds to a banner year for Lebrun, who has already claimed two WTT Series singles titles, including his first WTT Star Contender title this season in Goa. Currently holding his career-best World No.5 ranking as of Week 40, Lebrun continues to position himself as a dominant force in international table tennis.
Next Stop: Muscat and Frankfurt Calling
As WTT Champions Montpellier 2024 draws to a close, the journey continues to WTT Contender Muscat 2024 from 28 October to 2 November at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, followed by another grand action week awaiting at Frankfurt.
Credit: WTT Press.