Fabio Rakotoarimanana

{{Infobox table tennis player

| name = Fabio Rakotoarimanana

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2003|07|24}}

| birth_place =

| playingstyle = Right-handed, shakehand grip

| equipment =

| hrank = 146 (19 March 2024)

| crank = 153 (30 July 2024)

| club = {{ill|Lille Métropole TT|fr|Lille Métropole Tennis de table}}
(Pro B)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{MAD}}}}

{{MedalCountry|{{FRA}}}}

}}

Fabio Adrien Rakotoarimanana (born 24 July 2003) is a Malagasy table tennis player. He represented France in his youth before switching allegiances to compete for his home country in 2022. After winning several international medals, Rakotoarimanana qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics, where he was chosen as a flag-bearer and became Madagascar's first Olympic table tennis player.

Career

=Career in France=

A native of Madagascar, Rakotoarimanana grew up in the port city of Toulon, France, and began playing table tennis at the age of seven.{{cite news|url=https://emtt.pro/ittf-africa-pour-lamour-de-madagascar/|title=ITTF-Africa : Pour l’amour de Madagascar|publisher=Expatriés Malagasy de Tennis de Table|date=6 May 2023|access-date=7 August 2024|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2022/12/17/tennis-de-table-fabio-rakotomanana-decide-de-rejoindre-lequipe-nationale/|title=Tennis de table: Fabio Rakotomanana [sic] décide de rejoindre l’équipe nationale|work=NewsMada|date=17 December 2022|access-date=1 August 2024|language=fr}} At the 2014 French national championships, while competing in the benjamins (under-11) category, he won the silver medal in the singles event, and partnered with Alexis Lebrun to win gold in doubles.{{cite news|url=https://www.fftt.com/site/actualites/2014-06-01/les-champions-de-france-benjamins-cadets|title=Les champions de France Benjamins - Cadets|publisher={{ill|Fédération française de tennis de table|fr}}|date=1 June 2014|access-date=2 August 2024|language=fr}} In 2015, the pair of Rakotoarimanana and Lebrun won a bronze in the doubles event in the minimes (under-13) category,{{cite news|url=https://tennis2table.com/actualite/resultats-des-championnats-de-france-minimes-juniors-2015.html|title=Résultats des Championnats de France Minimes Juniors 2015|work=Tennis2Table|date=1 June 2015|access-date=2 August 2024|language=fr}} followed by a silver-medal doubles finish in 2016.{{cite news|url=https://tennis2table.com/actualite/championnats-de-france-minimes-et-juniors-2016.html|title=Résultats des Championnats de France Minimes et Juniors 2016|work=Tennis2Table|date=28 May 2016|access-date=5 August 2024|language=fr}} In cadets (under-15) competition, Rakotoarimanana teamed with Myshaal Sabhi to win gold in the doubles at the 2018 national championships.{{cite news|url=https://tennis2table.com/actualite/resultats-des-championnats-de-france-benjamin-cadets-2018.html|title=Résultats des Championnats de France Benjamin Cadets 2018|work=Tennis2Table|date=30 May 2018|access-date=3 August 2024|language=fr}}

In April 2018, Rakotoarimanana partnered with Félix Lebrun to win the cadets boys' doubles title at the Belgium Junior and Cadet Open.{{cite news|url=https://www.ittf.com/2018/04/22/yukari-sugasawa-completes-double-adds-title-collection/|title=Yukari Sugasawa completes double, adds to title collection|publisher=International Table Tennis Federation|first=Ian|last=Marshall|date=22 April 2018|access-date=1 August 2024}} He also won a silver in the team event and a bronze in the singles.{{cite news|url=https://www.fftt.com/site/actualites/2018-04-24/8-medailles-en-belgique|title=8 médailles en Belgique|publisher={{ill|Fédération française de tennis de table|fr}}|date=24 April 2018|access-date=5 August 2024|language=fr}} In July, Rakotoarimanana competed in the cadets category at the European Youth Championships in Romania, where he won a gold in the boys' team,{{cite news|url=https://www.ittf.com/2018/07/19/first-titles-awarded-success-france-romania/|title=First titles awarded, success for France and Romania|publisher=International Table Tennis Federation|first=Simon|last=Daish|date=20 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2024}} silver in the mixed doubles (with Prithika Pavade),{{cite news|url=https://www.oasport.it/2018/07/tennistavolo-europei-giovanili-individuali-2018-andrea-puppo-oro-nel-doppio-misto-cadetti/|title=Tennistavolo, Europei giovanili individuali 2018: Andrea Puppo oro nel doppio misto cadetti|first=Roberto|last=Santangelo|work=OA Sport|date=25 July 2018|access-date=5 August 2024|language=it}} and bronze in the boys' doubles.{{cite web|url=https://www.fitet.org/news/arbitri-e-tecnici/11477-arbitri-italiani-nelle-fasi-conclusive-degli-europei-giovanili.html|title=Arbitri italiani nelle fasi conclusive degli Europei Giovanili|publisher={{ill|Federazione Italiana Tennistavolo|it}}|date=24 July 2018|access-date=5 August 2024|language=it}} At the 2019 French national championships - now in the juniors category - Rakotoarimanana won a bronze medal in the singles competition.{{cite news|url=https://tennis2table.com/actualite/championnats-de-france-minimes-juniors-tennis-de-table-2019.html|title=Championnats de France minimes – juniors tennis de table 2019|work=Tennis2Table|date=21 April 2019|access-date=5 August 2024|language=fr}} He competed at the European Youth Championships in the Czech Republic that year, though he did not medal.{{cite news|url=https://www.fftt.com/site/actualites/2019-07-14/j8-en-direct-d-ostrava|title=J8 : en direct d'Ostrava|publisher={{ill|Fédération française de tennis de table|fr}}|date=14 July 2019|access-date=6 August 2024|language=fr}}

At the club level, Rakotoarimanana played for Le Garde TT and {{ill|Lille Métropole TT|fr|Lille Métropole Tennis de table}}.{{cite news|url=https://tennis2table.com/actualite/nationale/championnats-de-france/championnats-de-france-seniors-2022-de-tennis-de-table.html|title=Résultats des Championnats de France Seniors 2022 de tennis de table|work=Tennis2Table|date=26 June 2022|access-date=6 August 2024|language=fr}} He helped the latter reach the semifinals of the 2024 ETTU Europe Trophy, where they lost to the eventual champions, Panathinaikos.{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2024/06/04/europe-trophy-2024-fabio-et-son-equipe-decrochent-la-medaille-de-bronze/|title=Europe Trophy 2024: Fabio et son équipe décrochent la médaille de bronze|work=NewsMada|date=4 June 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ettu.org/en/n/news/2024/june/panathinaikos-ac-clinched-the-title-in-grand-final-europe-trophy/|title=Panathinaikos AC Clinched the Title in Grand Final Europe Trophy|publisher=European Table Tennis Union|date=2 June 2024|access-date=9 August 2024}}

=Switch to Madagascar=

In a 2018 interview, Rakotoarimanana expressed his desire to represent Madagascar in international competition. In December 2022, his father announced that he had accepted an invitation from the Malagasy Table Tennis Federation to switch allegiances and join his home country's national team. Rakotoarimanana made his international debut for Madagascar at the East African Championships held in Djibouti in March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2023/02/24/tennis-de-table-fabio-rakotoarimanana-le-fer-de-lance-de-lequipe-malagasy/|title=Tennis de table : Fabio Rakotoarimanana, le fer de lance de l’équipe malagasy|work=NewsMada|date=24 February 2023|access-date=7 August 2024|language=fr}} He won the gold medal in the men's singles – beating compatriot Antoine Razafinarivo 4–0 in the final – and another gold in the men's team competition.{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mg/13/03/2023/tennis-de-table-afrique-de-lest-fabio-et-karen-sacres-champions/|title=TENNIS DE TABLE – AFRIQUE DE L’EST - Fabio et Karen sacrés champions|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=13 March 2023|access-date=7 August 2024|language=fr}} At the ITTF Africa Cup in May, Rakotoarimanana won all three group stage matches before losing to {{ill|Sami Kherouf|fr}} in the round of 32 and finishing 13th in the placement round.{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mg/05/05/2023/tennis-de-table-fabio-antoine-et-karen-en-huitiemes/|title=TENNIS DE TABLE - Fabio, Antoine et Karen en huitièmes|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=5 May 2023|access-date=7 August 2024|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2023/05/06/tennis-de-table-coupe-dafrique-antoine-razafinarivo-sinvite-dans-le-dernier-carre/|title=Tennis de table – Coupe d’Afrique: Antoine Razafinarivo s’invite dans le dernier carré|work=NewsMada|date=6 May 2023|access-date=7 August 2024|language=fr}}

Rakotoarimanana was selected as a flag-bearer for Madagascar at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Francophone Games,{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mg/27/07/2023/jeux-de-la-francophonie-fabio-et-laura-seront-les-porte-drapeaux-malgaches/|title=Jeux de la Francophonie - Fabio et Laura seront les porte-drapeaux malgaches|first=Donné|last=Raherinjatovo|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=27 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2024|language=fr}} where he took silver in the singles event after losing to Eduard Ionescu in the final.{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mg/04/08/2023/jeux-de-la-francophonie-le-pongiste-fabio-et-la-judokate-narindra-en-argent/|title=Jeux de la Francophonie - Le pongiste Fabio et la judokate Narindra en argent|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=4 August 2023|access-date=1 August 2024|language=fr}} He was set to take part the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar later that month, but his eligibility was revoked after the Mauritius Table Tennis Association filed a complaint alleging that he (and two other Malagasy athletes) did not meet the necessary residency requirements to compete at the Games.{{cite news|url=https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/jioi-reunion-du-cij-la-petanque-et-le-karate-en-suspens/594757/|title=JIOI – Réunion du CIJ : la pétanque et le karaté en suspens|work=Le Mauricien|date=24 August 2023|access-date=8 August 2024|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/426337/jioi-2023-l-tennis-table-deux-victoires-pour-mauriciennes|title=JIOI 2023 {{!}} Tennis de table: deux victoires pour les Mauriciennes|first=Olivier|last=Chapuiset|work=L'Express|date=27 August 2023|access-date=8 August 2024|language=fr}}

On 17 September 2023, Rakotoarimanana partnered with Antoine Razafinarivo to win the men's doubles title at the African Championships in Tunisia, clinching the gold medal with a 3–1 win over the local pair of Youssef Ben Attia and Aboubaker Bourass in the final.{{cite news|url=https://lexpress.mg/18/09/2023/tennis-de-table-double-messieurs-fabio-et-antoine-sur-le-toit-continental/|title=TENNIS DE TABLE – DOUBLE MESSIEURS - Fabio et Antoine sur le toit continental|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=18 September 2023|access-date=8 August 2024|language=fr}} They previously upset the Egyptian pair of Ahmed Saleh and Mohamed El-Beiali 3–2 in the semi-final. In the men's singles event, Rakotoarimanana advanced to the quarterfinals, where he was eliminated by Olajide Omotayo.

In February 2024, Rakotoarimanana competed at the 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships, where he won three of his six individual matches.{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2024/02/28/tennis-de-table-fabio-rakotoarimanana-ameliore-son-rang/|title=Tennis de table: Fabio Rakotoarimanana améliore son rang|work=NewsMada|date=28 February 2024|access-date=8 August 2024|language=fr}} Notably, he beat Olajide Omotayo 3–0 to secure Madagascar's 3–1 upset victory over Nigeria in the group stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.ittf.com/2024/02/18/ittf-world-championships-finals-2024-day-3-follow-the-action-here-as-it-happens-live/|title=ITTF World Championships Finals 2024 Day 3|publisher=International Table Tennis Federation|date=18 February 2024|access-date=8 August 2024}} In March, Rakotoarimanana competed at the postponed 2023 African Games and won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event with {{ill|Hanitra Raharimanana|fr|Hanitra Karen Raharimanana}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/03/tennis-de-table-jeux-africains-le-duo.html|title=TENNIS DE TABLE – JEUX AFRICAINS - Le duo Fabio-Karen en bronze|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=10 March 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|language=fr}} Then, in April, Rakotoarimanana took gold in both the singles and team events at the East African Championships.{{cite news|url=https://midi-madagasikara.mg/tennis-de-table-hanitra-et-fabio-sacres-champions-dafrique-de-lest/|title=Tennis de table : Hanitra et Fabio sacrés champions d’Afrique de l’Est|first=Heriniaina|last=Samson|work=Midi Madagasikara|date=27 April 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://newsmada.com/2024/04/24/tennis-de-table-championnat-dafrique-de-lest-lequipe-masculine-malgache-reste-sur-le-trone/|title=Tennis de table – Championnat d’Afrique de l’Est : l’équipe masculine malgache reste sur le trône|work=NewsMada|date=24 April 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|language=fr}}

In May 2024, Rakotoarimanana qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics by defeating Wassim Essid at the ITTF Africa Olympic Qualification Tournament, 4–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.ittf.com/2024/05/19/history-maker-madagascars-rakotoarimanana-seals-ticket-to-paris-at-african-qualification-tournament/|title=History-maker Madagascar’s Rakotoarimanana seals ticket to Paris at African Qualification Tournament|publisher=International Table Tennis Federation|date=19 May 2024|access-date=9 August 2024}} He became the first Malagasy table tennis player to ever qualify for the Olympics.`At the Summer Olympics in Paris, Rakotoarimanana was defeated by Omar Assar in the round of 64 of the men's singles event, 1–4.{{cite news|url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/07/tennis-de-table-fabio-rakotoarimanana.html|title=TENNIS DE TABLE - Fabio Rakotoarimanana cède devant un Égyptien|first=Serge|last=Rasanda|work=L'Express de Madagascar|date=28 July 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|language=fr}}