UPDATE: Lucas Didier shocked crowds, delivering a huge upset and defeating Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Ma Lin 3-2 in the semifinals. He will now face off the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Belgium’s Laurens Devos in the final tonight.

France entered the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with high hopes, aiming to replicate or even surpass their stellar performance at Tokyo 2020, where they secured 11 medals, including two golds— Fabien Lamirault in the Class 2 men’s singles and another in the Class 1-2 men’s teams. However, their home campaign has fallen short of expectations, leaving fans disappointed and yearning for a breakthrough.

As of today, France has only claimed five bronze medals, a stark contrast to their Tokyo 2020 triumphs. With the Games nearing their conclusion, Lucas Didier stands as the nation’s last chance for a gold medal. Didier, who is set to face Australia’s Ma Lin in the semifinals of the Class 9 Men’s Singles, carries the hopes of the host nation on his shoulders.

In front of an eager home crowd, the question remains—can Didier rise to the occasion and deliver the gold France so desperately seeks? All eyes are on him as he fights to keep his country’s Para table tennis dreams alive.