Alex Lanier Makes History at BWF World Championships in New Delhi
New Delhi | 23 August 2026
France’s Alex Lanier created badminton history on Sunday by becoming the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
The 21-year-old defeated Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in straight games, winning 21–11, 21–11 in around 50 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Lanier controlled the match from the opening rallies, using aggressive attacking play, quick movement and precise smashes to keep Naraoka under constant pressure.
The victory capped a remarkable tournament for Lanier, who had never previously reached a World Championships final. His triumph also continued an extraordinary day for French badminton. Earlier, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue became the first French pair to win a badminton world title after defeating China’s top-seeded mixed-doubles team.
The championships, hosted in New Delhi from 17–23 August, marked the tournament’s return to India after 17 years. Lanier’s landmark victory gave the home-hosted event another memorable chapter in badminton history.
