Less than a year before the Olympics, the world’s best badminton players are taking up residence in Brittany. Until October 29, the French Open takes place at the Glaz Arena in Cesson near Rennes. With among the headliners, Thom Gicquel, both regional of the stage, and world star.
After last year’s French championships, the Breton capital has the privilege of hosting the French Open they badminton.
Organized for 15 years at the Salle Pierre-de-Coubertin in Paris, the event was relocated this year due to the Rugby World Cup final.
By inheriting the competition, Rennes will therefore move upmarket. The tournament is considered one of the 12 most important in the world. 20,000 spectators are expected. The organizers are not worried, Ille-et-Vilaine is the French department with the most licensees, almost 8,000.
The French Open in Cesson • © BL/FTV
Over 6 days, the Glaz Arena will host no less than 153 matches. With among the 232 athletes from 22 different countries, the very best in the world. The Asians obviously, but also the top of the European Bad, with the Dane Viktor Axelsen, reigning Olympic champion, 3 times world champion, or the Spaniard Carolina Marin, 4 times world champion, Olympic champion in 2016.
But the one who should thrill the crowds is obviously called Thom Gicquel, the regional of the stage, who will line up in mixed doubles with Delphine Delrue. The French pair is currently ranked 8th in the world.
For Thom Gicquel, playing in Rennes will obviously have a special flavor. Already crowned French champion with Delphine Delrue last year in Cesson, the Breton will once again have the pleasure of coming back to play at home.
The young man started badminton at the age of 6 in the Rennes metropolis, in his parents’ club in Betton.
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Thom Gicquel at the French International Badminton Championships in Cesson • ©B. Levaillant/ V. Bars/ FTV
After great performances in recent weeks, the Gicquel/Delrue pair are a priori well placed to qualify for the Olympics. “The objective now is to confirm in order to hope for a place at the top of the series, which would be an advantage in Paris” explains Thom Gicquel.
Note that in Cesson, the South Korean world champions fell in the first round against the Danish pair.
Alongside Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, seven other French people are entered, including the Popov brothers, who competed in the final at the 2023 French championships in Cesson.
Other tricolors, Lucas Corvée (Issy-les-Moulineaux Badminton Club), Ronan Labar (Aix Université Club), Margot Lambert (Red Star Mulhouse), Anne Tran (Raçing Club de France), and Arnaud Merklé (Red Star Mulhouse).
The entrants will decide between the 5 traditional tables: single men, simple dames, men’s doubles, double dames et double mixte
Here is the program until Sunday
Tuesday 10/24 (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) and Wednesday 10/25 (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.): FIRST LAPS
Thursday 26/10 (1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.): RIGHT OF 16
Friday 10/27 (12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.): QUARTER-FINAL
Saturday 28/10 (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): SEMI-FINALS
Sunday 10/29 (1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.): FINALS
2023-10-24 16:22:50
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