France celebrated a historic double at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, with Alex Lanier completing a remarkable day by winning the men’s singles title after Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had earlier secured France’s first-ever badminton World Championship gold.
The 21-year-old Lanier produced a dominant performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, winning 21-11, 21-11 in just 50 minutes. Despite expectations of a long battle, Lanier controlled the contest with his speed, physical strength and exceptional shot-making.
The opening game was competitive until 12-9, but Lanier then shifted gears, winning nine of the next 11 points to take control. Naraoka attempted to fight back in the second game after trailing 3-8, narrowing the gap to 7-8, but Lanier quickly regained momentum and closed out the match without allowing his opponent back into contention.
Lanier’s performance was particularly impressive given the challenging conditions at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium, where the sideways drift had troubled several players throughout the tournament. Rather than struggling with it, Lanier used the conditions to his advantage, repeatedly finding the lines with his attacking shots and displaying remarkable control from the backcourt.
The victory continues Lanier’s perfect record in finals in 2026. After winning the Singapore Open Super 750 and the European Championships, he has now added the biggest title of his career.
His rise has been rapid. The Frenchman won the Japan Open Super 750 in 2024 and has continued to establish himself among the elite, while also helping France reach a historic Thomas Cup final.
At just 21, Lanier is now a World champion—and France's historic day in Delhi has given the sport another major emerging star to watch.
