The French national table tennis team is on its way to Qatar for the 2025 ITTF World Individual Championships, which will kick off on Saturday, May 17. With five events on the program—men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles—France will be represented across the board by a dynamic and ambitious lineup of players.
As the competition nears, Jean-Nicolas BARELIER, the National Technical Director of the French Table Tennis Federation, shared insights into the team’s goals and outlook.
“We are still in a phase of transition following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” BARELIER stated. “Our sport’s profile has evolved nationally, and our international standing has shifted. This is leading to changes in our structure and will culminate in a new three-year preparation cycle for Los Angeles 2028.
But make no mistake: this World Championships is a key competition, and our athletes are driven to perform. They are competitors through and through, and given their level, our ambitions are justified.
However, this is the most competitive international event on the calendar—with up to five top-level players per major country—which makes reaching the podium an enormous challenge. Our last medal at this event dates back to 1997, when Jean-Philippe GATIEN and Damien ELOI won bronze in men’s doubles. That speaks volumes about how tough it is to medal here.
The preparation has gone well, and now we’re eager to begin.”
Team France: Players and Pairings in Qatar
Men’s Singles
- Lilian BARDET
- Simon GAUZY
- Alexis LEBRUN
- Félix LEBRUN
- Thibault PORET
Women’s Singles
- Léana HOCHART
- Charlotte LUTZ
- Prithika PAVADE
- Jia Nan YUAN
- Audrey ZARIF
Men’s Doubles
- Florian BOURRASSAUD / Esteban DORR
- Alexis LEBRUN / Félix LEBRUN
Women’s Doubles
- Léana HOCHART / Charlotte LUTZ
- Prithika PAVADE / Jia Nan YUAN
Mixed Doubles
- Simon GAUZY / Prithika PAVADE
- Thibault PORET / Léana HOCHART
