Lanier crushes Naraoka to become first Frenchman to win singles world title

NEW DELHI, - Alex ​Lanier beat ​Kodai Naraoka 21-11 21-11 ​to become the first French player to win a singles title in ‌badminton's ⁠World ⁠Championships on Sunday.

Lanier took about ​50 minutes to clinch victory in the ​men's final as he outclassed Japan's Naraoka, a former ​finalist.

Earlier in the ⁠day, Thom ‌Gicquel and Delphine ​Delrue ​became the first French ⁠pair to win a badminton ​world title after defeating top ​seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping of China 22-20 19-21 21-15 in the mixed ‌doubles final.


Lanier's win tops off a year of ​French dominance, ​after ⁠Christo Popov's World Tour Finals victory last year, and the French team's ​triumph over Denmark to win the continental championships this year.