RONCHIN - French classical specialist Willy Gérimont confirmed his No 1 status in France with his third title in the mega-event in Ronchin. He was the best in balk-line 47/2, the last event at the French Masters. That made Willy Gérimont the big winner of the mega-championship in the classical disciplines.
In the final, Gérimont faced the man in form from the day before, Benoît Deziles-Legros. The champion faced no real opposition in this final battle: de Chartrain won 250-54 in 9 innings and took a 4th title in this game type after 2016, 2017 and 2019 (7 finals played in total). Willy Gérimont deserves a big compliment for his overall performance, although he did not start under the best conditions. During the break, he heard that his vehicle had been broken into and personal belongings stolen. Therefore it was understandable that he was not inclined to celebrate this final success.
Willy Gerimont came out of the heats with an average of 62.50 and twice runs of 250. In the quarter-finals, he beat Emmanuel Lefranc 250-179 in 9 and then in the semi-finals he dominated Eric Castaner with a perfect game 250-62 in 1 inning. Benoît Deziles-Legros, after his two 250 runs on Saturday, had started his quarter-final against Frédéric Goubard with 230, a cumulative total of 730 points over three games!
The man-to-man between Willy Gérimont and Jean-François Florent turned out in favor of the later champion. The two players eventually split the 5 titles in total in Ronchin with a slight advantage for Gérimont.
It is rare, perhaps never even happened, that only 2 players split titles in 5 different games in the classical disciplines at the French championships.
Worth mentioning is Eric Castaner's game in 1 inning on Saturday against Emmanuel Lefranc and the best overall average for Brahim Djoubri, 9th with 70.75.
The results in the French final 47/2 (top 4):
1 Willy Gérimont 46.29 - 250
2 Benoît Deziles-Legros 43.91- 250
3 Eric Castaner 67,66 - 250
3 Jean-François Florent 42.23 - 182
Distribution of the French championship titles Ronchin 2023:
Free game: Jean-François Florent (Ronchin)
One cushion: Willy Gérimont (Chartres)
Balk-line 71/2: Jean-François Florent (Ronchin)
Balk-line 47/1 : Willy Gerrimont (Chartres)
Balk-line 47/2 : Willy Gerimont (Chartres)
Distribution of the 20 medals Ronchin 2023:
4 medals: Jean-François Florent (Ronchin): Gold (Free and 71/2), Silver (47/1), Bronze (47/2)
3 medals - Willy Gérimont (Chartres): Gold (one cushion, 47/2 and 47/1)
3 medals - Nicolas Gerassimopoulos (Andernos): Bronze (one cushion, 71/2 and 47/1)
2 medals - Benoît Deziles-Legros (Andernos): Silver (71/2)
2 medals - Brahim Djoubri (Ronchin): Silver (Free), Bronze (47/1)
2 medals - Eric Castaner (Beauvais): Bronze (71/2 and 47/2).
1 medal - Xavier Le Roy (Marines): Silver (one cushion)
1 medal - Pascal Dessaint (Douai): Bronze (Free)
1 medal - Emmanuel Lefranc (Orléans) : Bronze (Free)
1 medal - Johann Petit (Oissel) : Bronze (one cushion)
Three time gold winner Willy Gérimont
The last winner Willy Gérimont with the other final player Benoit Deziles-Legros
Jean-Francois Florent
De spelers voor het laatste toernooi, het kader 47/2