France Celebrates at the World Championships

In a remarkable turn of events, French badminton has etched its name in history at the 2026 World Championships, a feat previously thought unattainable for the nation. On Sunday, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue made headlines by becoming the first French players to secure a world title in badminton, followed closely by Alex Lanier, who clinched the men’s championship title. This unprecedented success marks a significant milestone for a country that has long been overlooked in the sport.

The victories of Gicquel and Delrue were not mere coincidences; they reflect the growing prominence of French players on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) circuit. Gicquel expressed his pride, stating, “It’s amazing, 10 years ago no French player could have even thought about this, so that makes us feel happy and proud.” The duo, who first teamed up a decade ago, have witnessed the evolution of badminton in France firsthand.

Delrue attributed the surge in French badminton’s success to a shift in mentality and increased support from the national federation. “It’s the mentality that we can win. Sports is more professional in France than before, there are more staff and players, and we can focus on performance,” she explained. The federation’s investment in infrastructure and training facilities has played a crucial role in nurturing talent, allowing young players to thrive and compete effectively on the European stage.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as Lanier aimed to add to the historic day for French badminton. “We have a healthy competition between all of us; we try to bring France to the top of every tournament,” Delrue noted, highlighting the camaraderie among the players. Gicquel humorously added, “We were also a bit stressed that Alex can win in one hour, so we wanted to win before him!”

Lanier, reflecting on the significance of the day, shared his emotional connection to the victories. “Today was a day for France and French badminton. I didn’t feel like I won for me today,” he remarked, emphasizing the collective achievement. Delrue expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We are really proud of helping take France to the top among European countries and now at the World level.” As they prepare to return home, Gicquel humorously noted, “Nobody knows us; nobody would be waiting for us,” underscoring the journey ahead for French badminton.