Félix Lebrun beats Harimoto Tomokazu in Malmö to win WTT Europe Smash 2026; first Frenchman to win a WTT Grand Smash

Félix Lebrun “really happy and proud of me” after beating Harimoto Tomokazu to win WTT Europe Smash 2026

The 19-year-old Frenchman defeated the Japanese star 4-1 in Malmö to secure the biggest title of his career, while Wang Manyu claimed her third Grand Smash women’s singles crown.

Félix Lebrun became the first Frenchman to win a WTT Grand Smash singles title on Sunday (16 August), claiming his maiden crown by defeating Harimoto Tomokazu 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the Europe Smash – Sweden 2026 final in Malmö.

Unsurprisingly, the feat went down well.

“I feel fantastic, it’s really hard to get a title and even more a Smash,” Lebrun said . “So I’m just really happy and proud of me, of the team that worked with me. And yeah, I really enjoy being here in front of the crowd.

“I think I put a lot of intensity into my game in the final. I played my best, so I’m just happy about the match and the whole tournament.”

Lebrun, who earned Olympic table tennis bronze in both the men’s singles and team events at Paris 2024 , marked the win by leading the crowd in a Viking Thunder Clap to close the night. He is just the second European to win a singles Grand Smash, following Truls Möregårdh in the same event in 2025.

Félix Lebrun leads the crowd in a Viking Clap.

The final started at a blistering pace, with Lebrun racing into a 4-0 lead and then 8-1 before sealing the opening game on his second game point. He moved 10-6 ahead in the second and, after Harimoto saved two game points, called a brief time-out before closing out the game to establish a 2-0 lead.

Harimoto, 23, had already overturned a 0-7 deficit in a game against Matsushima Sora in his semi-final earlier that day, and another response followed. The reigning WTT Champions Yokohama 2026 winner took the third game, then recovered from 4-8 down in the fourth to draw level at 9-9.

“I know he’s one of the biggest fighters on the tour that you can have,” Lebrun said. “I have had a lot of battles with him already, so I respect him a lot. We have a good relationship, I think, so I knew it will be hard to finish the match.”

The fifth game remained tight at 7-7 before Lebrun reeled off four straight points to bring up three championship points. Harimoto saved the first two, but Lebrun converted the third to seal the title.

Felix Lebrun (FRA) v Hugo Calderano (BRA) - Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match | Table Tennis | Olympic Games Paris 2024

The Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match Felix Lebrun v Hugo Calderano, at South Paris Arena 4, Paris, on 04

Felix Lebrun won the Bronze Medal.

It capped a second title of the week for Lebrun, who had teamed up with his brother Alexis earlier in the week to win the men’s doubles title, beating defending champions Wong Chun Ting and Baldwin Chan 11-7, 11-8, 14-12.

In the women’s singles final, double Olympic gold medallist Wang Manyu claimed a third Grand Smash title, beating compatriot Wang Yidi 4-2 to go one better than her runner-up finish in Malmö a year ago.

“It was a thrilling showdown between me and Wang Yidi, and the scoreline was tight from start to end,” Wang Manyu said. “Both of us brought our best game to the table tonight. I think I played pretty well, managing to keep my focus and resolve even when things got rough.”

Picture by World Table Tennis