Alex Lanier Makes History as France’s First Badminton World Champion

Alex Lanier just made history—he’s the first French player ever to win a badminton world championship. At just 20, he stepped out onto the court in Copenhagen and took charge, knocking out Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in two straight games to claim the men’s singles title.

This win isn’t just big for Lanier. It’s huge for French badminton, a sport that’s usually dominated by players from Asia. Lanier’s performance shows off not only his talent but also hints that France is ready to mix it up with the world’s best.

During the final, Lanier attacked with energy and confidence. He smashed winners, worked the net with quick hands, and kept Naraoka off balance from start to finish. The whole tournament showed Lanier’s grit—he faced down some of the top seeds and played every match with a cool head that belied his age.

France actually celebrated twice at these championships. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue grabbed gold in mixed doubles, too—another first for France. Both wins feel like a turning point, and there’s real hope they’ll spark more interest and investment in the sport back home.

Right now, Lanier is on top and everyone’s looking to him as a trailblazer. He’s shown what relentless effort and belief can do—opening the door for the next generation of French badminton stars.