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Composed Alex Lanier scripts history with 'game management' at BWF World Championships
Alex Lanier defeated Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men's singles final at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, becoming the first French player to win the title. The French pair of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue also won gold in mixed doubles, making it a historic day for French badminton.
Alex Lanier became the first French player to win the men's singles title at the BWF World Championships, defeating Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the final at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on August 23, 2026.
The win was a landmark for French badminton, but it was only part of the story. Moments earlier, the French mixed doubles pair of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had also secured gold, beating Chinese top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15. The pair became the first French duo to win a badminton world title, ending a 17-year wait for a European pair in the discipline.
"I think definitely today was a day for French badminton and it was a day for the whole staff also," Lanier said, as quoted by Deccan Chronicle.
"A lot of emotion, really, really happy and super proud to win the first gold for France," Delphine Delrue added, while Thom Gicquel noted the symbolism of their achievement: "It's amazing to be between two Chinese flags."
The Men's Singles Final
Lanier's victory was described as dominant. The world number 10 took the opening game in 23 minutes, aided by a lethal combination of attack and defence. After the mid-game interval had the finalists tied at 11-9, Lanier overcame, pulling ahead to win both games 21-11.
The final itself lasted approximately 50 minutes, with Lanier dropping just two games throughout the tournament. He had also beaten world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Victor Lai en route to the final.
"It is a day for French badminton," said Lanier, reflecting on the significance of the moment.
Lanier's coach, Kesutis Navickas, France's national singles coach, praised the belief in the team, attributing France's success to the squad's mentality.
The French federation described Lanier's performance as another major step in his breakthrough campaign.
Women's Doubles and Other Finals
In the women's doubles final, South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee defeated China's Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 21-15, 21-15, ending a 31-year wait for a Korean women's doubles title. Lee So-hee, at 32 years and 70 days, became the oldest women's doubles world champion.
In the men's doubles final, China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang took gold, defeating Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21-17, 21-16.
The women's singles final saw An Se-young defeat defending champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14, with the win coming in 49 minutes. Se-young's victory, her second world title, extended her winning streak in the season.
Background and Context
Before 2026, French players had never reached a World Championships final. France's only two bronzes in the tournament's history were the peak for French badminton. The federation described Lanier's performance as another major step in his breakthrough campaign, which has included winning the European Championships, the 2025 French Open, and overcoming several other milestones.
France became only the second European nation to win more than one gold medal in a single edition of the World Championships, after the Soviet Union's achievement in 1979.
How each outlet told it
Deccan Chronicle
Framing: Focuses on Lanier's victory as a key moment in France's golden double, emphasizing the national achievement. — Celebratory and proud, emphasizing the historic nature of the achievement.
Facts Included:
Alex Lanier beat Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men's final
Lanier won the opener in 23 minutes
Lanier's parents are professional sailors
Lanier beat Kunlavut Vitidsarn earlier in the tournament
Framing: Highlights Lanier's progress to the final, stressing France's emergence as a badminton power. — Analytical and contextual, with a focus on the broader significance for French badminton.
Facts Included:
Lanier beat Canada's Victor Lai in the semifinal
Lanier's father is a meteorologist for sailors
Lanier is from Normandy
Lanier lost the first game in the semifinal before winning
Lanier's coaches are Kestuis Naviklas and Tinna Ludvigsen
France's rise is compared to Denmark's badminton dominance
Framing: Highlights Lanier's historic win as the first Frenchman to win singles world title, focusing on the national significance. — Neutral and factual, with a focus on match events rather than emotional language.
Facts Included:
Alex Lanier beat Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men's singles final
Lanier became the first French player to win a singles title in badminton's World Championships
An Se-young defeated Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14 in the women's singles final
Lanier took about 50 minutes to clinch victory
Lanier won the first game in just 23 minutes
Naraoka struggled with low shots in the second game and hit wide multiple times
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue won the mixed doubles title, defeating Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15
Gicquel and Delrue became the first French pair to win a badminton world title
Christo Popov's World Tour Finals victory last year and France's continental championship win in February
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimAlex Lanier became the first French player to win the men's singles title at the BWF World Championships.