1 week ago
Alex Lanier Wins France’s First Men’s Singles World Title
Alex Lanier is a badminton player from France.
He won the men’s singles world championship by beating Kodai Naraoka of Japan.
Lanier won both games by the same score, 21-11.
This made him the first Frenchman to win this badminton title.
He had earlier beaten Victor Lai of Canada and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
Lanier said the victory was important for French badminton, not only for himself.
He hopes more people in France will watch and enjoy the sport.
France also won the mixed doubles title at the same championships.
Alex Lanier defeated Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 to win the BWF World Championships men’s singles title.
The 21-year-old Frenchman won the final at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in about 50 minutes.
Lanier became France’s first men’s singles finalist and first Frenchman to win the world title.
He defeated Canada’s Victor Lai and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn during the knockout stages.
France also won its first mixed doubles world title, while South Korea captured the women’s doubles championship.
- Who
- Alex Lanier of France defeated Kodai Naraoka of Japan; Lanier had earlier beaten Victor Lai of Canada and Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
- What
- Lanier won the BWF World Championships men’s singles title in straight games.
- Where
- The matches were held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India.
- When
- The semifinal was played on Saturday, August 22, 2026, and the final took place on Sunday.
- Why
- The victory gave France its first men’s singles world title and was seen as a major breakthrough for French badminton.
Key facts
- Champion
- Alex Lanier, France
- Final opponent
- Kodai Naraoka, Japan
- Final score
- Lanier won 21-11, 21-11
- Final venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Historic achievement
- France’s first men’s singles world title and first men’s singles finalist
- Knockout-stage wins
- Lanier defeated Victor Lai and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn
- Semifinal score discrepancy
- One report lists 16-21, 21-13, 21-14; another lists 21-16, 13-21, 14-21
- Other French title
- Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue won France’s first mixed doubles world championship gold
Quotes
Alex Lanier
French badminton player and 2025 BWF World Championships men’s singles champion
“Today it was the day for French badminton and it was a day for the whole staff also. I didn't feel that I won for me today compared to the days before or yesterday where I felt it was definitely for me. Today it was the day for French, for France.”
wionews.com
“Badminton is getting stronger and also more famous in France, so I believe more people are going to watch, more people are going to know badminton.”
wionews.com
Sources
Related news
France Claims Two Badminton World Championship Golds
French Badminton Reaches Two World Championship Finals Saturday
Lanier, An Se Young Lead Historic Badminton World Championships
France Wins Two Badminton World Titles in Historic Breakthrough
Yamaguchi, An Se-young Set Up World Championship Finals
India Hosts Successful 2026 BWF World Championships, Lanier Triumphs
BWF Praises IGI Stadium Transformation After India Open Criticism
Ayush Shetty upsets Shi Yu Qi at BWF World Championships
Worlds return to India after 17 years, shuttlers stay cautious
