History at BWF Worlds: Alex Lanier Wins France’s First-Ever Men’s Singles Gold
France celebrated a historic day at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi as Alex Lanier became the country’s first-ever men’s singles world champion. The 21-year-old French star produced a dominant performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, winning the final 21-11, 21-11 in just 50 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Earlier in the day, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had also made history by becoming France’s first-ever World champions in badminton, defeating top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping of China. Lanier Dominates the Final Lanier entered the final with confidence after an impressive run throughout the tournament. Against 10th seed Naraoka, he showcased his speed, physical strength, accuracy and attacking game. The opening game was closely contested at 12-9 before Lanier shifted gears, winning nine of the next 11 points to take control. He continued his dominance in the second game, leaving Naraoka with few opportunities to recover. Despite the challenging sideways drift inside the stadium, Lanier maintained remarkable control from the backcourt and repeatedly found the lines with powerful cross-court and down-the-line smashes. Naraoka attempted a comeback in the second game after narrowing the deficit from 3-8 to 7-8, but Lanier quickly regained control and closed out the match in convincing fashion. A Rising Star of French Badminton Born in 2005, Lanier has rapidly established himself as one of badminton’s brightest young talents. A former European Junior Champion, he broke into the senior elite circuit with his 2024 Japan Open Super 750 triumph, where he defeated several leading players, including Shi Yuqi. His rise continued through 2025 and 2026. He won the European Championships, claimed the 2026 Singapore Open Super 750 title and helped France reach a historic Thomas Cup final. With his World Championships triumph, Lanier has now added the biggest title of his career and written a new chapter in French badminton history.