Alex Lanier Makes History as First French Singles Player to Win Badminton World Title
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Alex Lanier made history on Saturday by becoming the first French singles player to win the badminton world championship, defeating Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in a lopsided 50-minute final at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The 21-year-old world No. 10 secured the historic victory moments after France's mixed doubles pair had already taken gold, completing a golden double for French badminton at the world championships.
Key Points
- Alex Lanier defeated Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men's singles final, lasting 50 minutes at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
- The 21-year-old Lanier is the first French singles player to win the badminton world championship, ending France's wait for this milestone
- Lanier had earlier knocked out Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka-long in the last 16 round on his path to the final
- The French mixed doubles pair secured gold immediately before Lanier's final, giving France a historic golden double at these championships
- World No. 11 Naraoka, a former finalist, ultimately lost steam against a fitter and more inspired Lanier in the lopsided encounter
Why It Matters
Lanier's breakthrough triumph marks a significant shift in badminton power dynamics, as France emerges as a genuine force in the sport following Christo Popov's World Tour Finals victory and the team's European championship win this year. For Hong Kong, the result eliminates Angus Ng Ka-long at the last-16 stage, highlighting the competitive challenges facing local players on the world stage against rising European talents.
Lanier's breakthrough triumph marks a significant shift in badminton power dynamics, as France emerges as a genuine force in the sport following Christo Popov's World Tour Finals victory and the team's European championship win this year. For Hong Kong, the result eliminates Angus Ng Ka-long at the last-16 stage, highlighting the competitive challenges facing local players on the world stage against rising European talents.