Table Tennis: Jeremy Day, in the middle of a daydream

I went from a small local tournament at the Falun d’Or Sports Hall last weekend, to an official match of the best international level, this week in Singapore, in front of the cameras broadcasting the matches live. Emotional lift of table tennis player Jeremy Day, current Caledonia selection leader 119^H worldwide. in 1^any At the World Smash Tour in Singapore on Tuesday, Cagou found himself facing Tom Jarvis, a 23-year-old opponent, 121^H World, and a member of the England national team.

“I was a little nervous to open the competition, in front of a crowd of high caliber athletes, and I’ve struggled to fit in the first group. It still feels good that I didn’t feel completely helpless in front of him.”Jeremy admits, hitting 3 sets 0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-5). Left alone in Singapore, Caledonia found support there. He was able to talk with another competitor, New Zealander Alfred de la Pena, who frequented him during tournaments in Oceania and with whom he trained to prepare for the biggest meet of his career. Alfred also advises him during his match.

If the tournament is quickly stopped, the Olympic license holder will not regret his performance: “It was all about serving, serving throws and the third ball. I felt that every point was at my fingertips, that I was missing out on practices where I would receive balls of this quality on a more regular basis, be more consistent technically, and be stronger physically as well.

Jeremy’s extraordinary adventure continues. In particular, he was able to meet the staff and players of the France team! “I talk to them a little bit every day, without bothering them too much. Jerome Moreseau, back in New Caledonia, put me in touch with a friend of his who coaches them. I was able to talk and play with them. Last night was a few sets with Félix LeBron, the 17-year-old rising star who just moved into the world’s top 50 after being a semi-finalist in a tournament last week.

Every meeting is an opportunity to get some advice from the best table tennis players, to define strategies and techniques.

“The general feeling is that it’s crazy, it’s inspiring, it makes you grow just to be around people who play at that level. My level goes up on its own, just by watching and being present. C It’s weird to say, but it’s the reality.”he explains. jI watched almost every game in the competition, when I wasn’t with France or spying on the players’ training sessions! with blues We discuss our lives, the event, the training sessions, we talk about the frequency, the intensity. They are curious about life in New Caledonia, about their life in sports and their physical preparation. At the table, I also listen to the tactical and technical advice they give each other.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “To rub shoulders with the best sports in the world that I’ve been playing since I was in fifth grade. As a native of New Caledonia, it seemed impossible for me to have that happen with the France team. It’s a childhood dream, a daydream.”