NEW DELHI: Alex Lanier has etched his name in badminton history by becoming the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title at the BWF World Championships, completing a remarkable run with a commanding straight-game victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka on Sunday.The 21-year-old ninth seed produced a dominant display at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, beating 10th-seeded Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in around 50 minutes to claim his maiden world title. Lanier controlled the match from the outset, combining aggressive attacking play with excellent court coverage to leave the Japanese shuttler struggling for answers.The triumph caps a remarkable rise for Lanier, who had never previously reached a World Championships final. He had already made history by becoming the first Frenchman to reach the men’s singles final at the event before taking the final step and becoming the country’s first world champion in the discipline.Lanier’s road to the title was far from straightforward. He dropped just two games throughout the tournament, both coming in three-game victories in the knockout stages.In the semi-final, Lanier recovered from losing the opening game to beat Canada’s Victor Lai 16-21, 21-13, 21-14.The quarter-final was another test of his character. Facing defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, Lanier fought back after losing the first game and falling behind early in the second before completing a 19-21, 21-16, 21-16 comeback. France’s badminton federation described the performance as another major step in his breakthrough campaign.But there was no such drama in the final. Lanier imposed his pace from the opening exchanges and never allowed Naraoka, a former World Championships finalist, to settle. His attacking intent and ability to control the court helped him close out both games by the same 21-11 scoreline.
A golden day for French badminton
Lanier’s triumph came on an extraordinary day for French badminton in New Delhi. Earlier on Sunday, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue won the mixed doubles title after defeating top-seeded Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15. Their victory gave France its first-ever BWF World Championships gold medal.Lanier then followed it up with another historic gold in men’s singles, giving France two world titles on the same day. Before this edition, French players had never reached a World Championships final in the tournament’s history.Lanier’s latest achievement is another milestone in a rapid rise through the sport. He won the European Junior Championships men’s singles title in 2022, and three years later became the first Frenchman to win the European men’s singles championship, defeating compatriot Toma Junior Popov in the 2025 final.He also broke new ground in 2024 by becoming the first French player to win a BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament, triumphing at the Japan Open at just 19.
