Alex Lanier Makes History as France’s First Men’s Singles World Champion
NEW DELHI – In a milestone moment for international badminton, 21-year-old French sensation Alex Lanier has etched his name into the history books, becoming the first player from France to claim the men’s singles title at the BWF World Championships.
In a commanding performance at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday, the ninth-seeded Lanier dismantled Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in straight games, 21-11, 21-11. The match, which lasted roughly 50 minutes, showcased a masterclass in tactical aggression and court coverage, leaving his opponent—a seasoned former finalist—with few answers.
A Path of Resilience
While the final result appeared one-sided, Lanier’s journey to the top of the podium was marked by grit and a refusal to back down. Throughout the tournament, the Frenchman displayed remarkable mental fortitude, battling through tough three-game matches in the knockout stages.
Most notably, in the quarter-finals, Lanier faced the formidable task of overcoming the defending champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. After dropping the first game and trailing in the second, Lanier orchestrated a brilliant comeback to win 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. He carried that momentum into the semi-finals, where he again rallied from a set down to defeat Canada’s Victor Lai 16-21, 21-13, 21-14.
A Historic Day for French Badminton
Sunday’s final proved to be a watershed moment for French sports. Prior to this year’s tournament in New Delhi, no French player had ever reached a World Championship final. By the time the final match concluded, France had secured two historic gold medals in a single day.
Earlier in the afternoon, the mixed doubles duo of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue clinched their own piece of history, defeating the top-seeded Chinese pair of Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping in a thrilling 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 encounter. When Lanier added the men’s singles title shortly after, it marked an unprecedented achievement for the French delegation.
A Meteoric Rise
Lanier’s path to world supremacy has been rapid and steady. His pedigree was evident as early as 2022, when he secured the European Junior Championships title. By 2024, he had already shattered barriers, becoming the first Frenchman to capture a BWF World Tour Super 750 title with his victory at the Japan Open at just 19.
In 2025, he continued his climb by winning the European men’s singles championship, defeating compatriot Toma Junior Popov. Now, as a world champion, Lanier has firmly established himself as the new face of French badminton and a formidable force on the global stage.
