Jacques Secrétin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacques Secrétin
Jacques Secrétin (1978)
Personal information
Full name	Jacques Secrétin
Nationality	French
Born	(1949-03-18)18 March 1949 Carvin, Pas-de-Calais, France
Died	25 November 2020(2020-11-25) (aged 71)
Medal record Men's table tennis Representing  France World Championships Bronze 1981 Novi Sad Doubles Bronze 1979 Pyongyang Mixed Doubles Gold 1977 Birmingham Mixed Doubles Bronze 1975 Calcutta Doubles Bronze 1973 Sarajevo Doubles European Championships Silver 1986 Prague Team Bronze 1984 Moscow Doubles Gold 1984 Moscow Mixed Doubles Gold 1984 Moscow Team Bronze 1982 Budapest Doubles Bronze 1980 Berne Singles Gold 1980 Berne Doubles Gold 1976 Prague Singles Bronze 1976 Prague Mixed Doubles Bronze 1974 Novi Sad Mixed Doubles

Jacques Secrétin (born March 18, 1949 – died November 25, 2020) was a famous French table tennis player. He joined the French national team when he was just 13 years old. Jacques became one of the most successful table tennis players in French history.

During his 26-year career, he won the French singles championship 17 times. He also became the European singles champion in 1976. In 1977, he won a gold medal in mixed doubles at the 1977 World Table Tennis Championships. Outside of playing in competitions, Jacques Secrétin created a special show with Vincent Purkart. They performed amazing table tennis tricks and exhibitions over 4,000 times! Jacques remained an active player even as a veteran until he passed away.

Early Life and Start in Table Tennis

Jacques Secrétin was born on March 18, 1949, in Carvin, a mining town in northern France. He started playing table tennis when he was eight years old. By 1962, at the age of 13, he was chosen to play for the French national team. Jacques played left-handed. He won his very first national singles title in 1966.

Amazing Competition Career

From 1974 to 1986, Jacques Secrétin won many medals. These included medals in singles, doubles, and team events. He earned them at the Table Tennis European Championships and the World Table Tennis Championships.

One of his biggest wins was a gold medal in mixed doubles. He won this with his partner Claude Bergeret at the 1977 World Table Tennis Championships in Birmingham, England.

Over his 26-year career, Jacques Secrétin became one of France's top table tennis players. He was a world champion in mixed doubles in 1977. He also won three bronze medals in men's doubles. Jacques was a four-time European champion. This included a singles title in 1976 and doubles titles with Patrick Birocheau. He won the French championship an incredible 61 times! This included 17 times in men's singles, 10 times in men's doubles, and 11 times in mixed doubles.

Beyond the Matches

Outside of playing in big competitions, Jacques Secrétin created a unique show. He teamed up with Vincent Purkart to form "Le Show Secrétin-Purkart." In their show, they performed incredible table tennis tricks. They also played exhibition matches. This show was very popular and ran until 2007. They performed more than 4,000 times! Once, they even played in front of 15,000 people. Jacques also visited table tennis clubs and even prisons. He taught people how to play the sport.

Jacques Secrétin passed away on November 25, 2020, at 71 years old. He was still very involved in table tennis. He was even planning to compete in the veterans world championships in 2021.

See also

Template:Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jacques Secrétin para niños

• List of table tennis players
• List of World Table Tennis Championships medalists