Alex Lanier Wins Men's Singles World Championship for France

Alex Lanier, a 21-year-old Frenchman, secured his place in badminton history on Sunday by becoming the first French men's singles world champion at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi. Lanier produced a dominant performance to defeat Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the final, capping a historic day for French badminton.

The victory, achieved in just 50 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marked a milestone for a nation never before represented in the tournament's men's singles final. Lanier, the world No. 10, controlled the match from the outset, using his power and pace to overwhelm Naraoka, a renowned defensive player. He raced to a comfortable first-game lead and maintained relentless pressure in the second, never allowing his opponent to establish a rhythm.

"This was a day for French badminton," Lanier said after the match. "I was not really playing for me today. I was playing for the French team." His triumph followed the earlier historic victory of fellow French players Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the mixed doubles final, completing France's first-ever golden brace at the World Championships.

Lanier's journey to the title was built on a...