Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: “What we've done is already huge”, Nîmes' Flora Vautier wins the bronze medal

Flora Vautier a pris date en décrochant la médaille de bronze du double mixte (XD7). MAXPPP – BAZIZ CHIBANE

Licenciée à l’Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier, la jeune pongiste et son partenaire Florian Merrien sont tout simplement tombés sur plus fort, samedi, en demi-finale du double mixte.

Up against the world number ones, the Chinese, Liao and Yan, Flora Vautier from Nîmes and her partner Florian Merrien failed on Saturday in the semi-final of the mixed doubles tournament of the Paralympic Games (category XD7). The step was too high for the two French players, seeded number 8, who will have to settle for bronze.

First for Flora, 4th for Florian

At 19, Flora Vautier won her first Paralympic medal. This is the fourth for Florian Merrien, 39, after gold in Beijing (in 2008), bronze in London (2012) and Rio (2016).

In the men's doubles (MD14), Clément Berthier and Esteban Herrault, also beaten by the Chinese, will climb onto the third step of the podium.

“Of course, we are a little disappointed with this defeat. We would have obviously liked to do better, but what we have done is already huge. I am so happy”, commented Flora Vautier. “Apart from the first set that we rushed a bit, we managed to come back, tighten things up, play better and I made fewer mistakes. But they were very good. I still lack experience. I don't have enough ping behind me.”

Flora Vautier will now focus on the individual event.