At the World Badminton Championships held at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on August 23, France made history by securing two world titles for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s badminton profile.
The landmark day began with the French mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeating the top-seeded Chinese duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping in a tightly contested final. The match went to three games, with the French team prevailing 22-20, 19-21, 21-15. This victory marked Europe’s first gold in a paired event at the World Championships since 2009 and represented France’s inaugural world championship title in mixed doubles.
Delrue expressed immense pride, highlighting the significance of winning the first gold medal for France in the event. Gicquel reflected on the unlikely journey to this achievement, recalling the challenge of envisioning such success at a young age. Their win was celebrated as a breakthrough moment for French badminton on the global stage.
Later in the day, 21-year-old Alex Lanier, ranked tenth in the world, dominated the men’s singles final with a decisive 21-11, 21-11 victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. Lanier’s performance was noted for its combination of speed, endurance, and tactical precision, which allowed him to pull away after a close start in the first game. He credited his fitness and preparation for being able to maintain high intensity throughout the match, which lasted 23 minutes in the first game and concluded in straight sets.
Lanier’s victory was particularly historic as he became the first French player to claim the men’s singles world championship title. He acknowledged the importance of this achievement for French badminton and the broader support of his team and staff. His path to the final included wins over prominent players such as world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
In the women’s singles final, South Korea’s world number one An Se-young secured her second world title by defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14. The match, which lasted 49 minutes, showcased a high level of skill and athleticism, with An demonstrating resilience despite a recent foot injury. Yamaguchi earned her sixth medal at the World Championships, a record in women’s singles, underscoring her consistent performance at the highest level.
Other finals featured South Korea’s Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee winning the women’s doubles title over top-ranked Chinese opponents Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, while the men’s doubles crown was claimed by the Chinese pair Lian Wekeng and Wang Chang after defeating Malaysians Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
The tournament highlighted emerging talents and underscored a shift in world badminton dynamics, with France’s dual victories representing a notable development beyond the traditional powerhouses of the sport.