PETALING JAYA: It was a French revolution at the World Championships as the emerging badminton nation celebrated two world champions for the first time.
In a historic day for French badminton, Alex Lanier captured the men’s singles crown while Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue triumphed in the mixed doubles at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi yesterday.
France struck first through Gicquel-Delrue, who outplayed top seeds Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 in a thrilling mixed doubles final that produced some breathtaking action.
It was Europe’s first gold in a paired event since 2009, when Denmark’s Thomas Laybourn-Kamilla Rytter-Juhl won the title in India. Delrue was over the moon.
“A lot of emotion, really, really happy and super proud to win the first gold for France,” said Delrue in an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“It was an amazing match, both pairs played really well, and we had to try a lot for a win. It’s amazing to hear the national anthem on the podium for the first time.”
Added Gicquel: “We’re thinking, it’s amazing to be between two Chinese flags.
“When you are 10 years old you don’t really think that can happen, and it’s really hard to believe, actually. It’s really important for French badminton.”
Then it was 21-year-old Lanier’s turn to complete a perfect day for France as he smashed past Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 to cap a spectacular year with his first world title.
