After two weeks of intense competition, joy, disillusionment, twists and turns, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have come to an end. Millions of viewers were able to watch dozens of events that were held behind closed doors due to the health crisis. Despite these conditions, the athletes were able to perform well and break many records. However, several of the participants in the Orléans Masters distinguished themselves during this edition of the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, our French badminton players had some difficulties to enter the competition fully, conceding several defeats.
The results :
In women's singles, the French player Qi XUEFEI lost her first match. She was able to remotivate herself by winning 21/10 - 21/14 against the Swiss Sabrina JAQUET. Unfortunately, against the world number one, the step was too high. She lost 10/21 - 13/21 and ended the competition with 1 win and 2 losses. A positive first result for her first Olympic Games.
Her compatriot Brice LEVERDEZ, present in Group M, entered his Olympic tournament perfectly. He won his first match 21/5 - 21/11. Unfortunately, his second match did not go as well! A defeat in two sets, 17/21 - 5/21, which deprived him of an access to the final phases.
The pair DELRUE / GICQUEL who lost their first two games. The pair won 21/12 - 21/13 against the Canadians HURLBURT-YU / WU. However, they finished third in their group. They do not qualify for the quarter finals. The winning English pair of the 2021 edition of the Orleans Masters, ELLIS / SMITH, the only European duo qualified for the final stages, left the adventure by failing against Tse Yin Suet & Tang Chu Man.
In men's doubles, the winners of the 2019 Orleans Masters, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin won their Olympic final by defeating Li Junhui & Liu Yuchen from China 21/18 - 21/12. A magnificent victory which reinforces the reputation of the Orléans tournament.
Finally, in the men's singles, Viktor Axelsen, world number 2 and the last European in the competition, won the gold medal in two sets, 21/15 - 21/12 against his Chinese opponent, Chen Long.
