Alex Lanier makes history as France’s first men’s singles world champion
The 21-year-old beats Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in straight games to claim gold in New Delhi
Alex Lanier on Saturday became the first singles badminton player from France to clinch the world championship title, moments after the French took gold in the mixed doubles.
The 21-year-old Lanier beat Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in a lop-sided men's final at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
World number 10 Lanier smashed the winner as he jumped in delight and hugged his coach before stading on the podium for his gold medal.
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The finalists went toe-to-toe until the mid-game interval of the opening game with former European champion Lanier leading 11-9.
The brawny Lanier, whose parents are professional sailors, then hit the gas to open the gap and take the opener in 23 minutes with a lethal combination of attack and defence.
Lanier kept up the momentum in the second game to take five straight points in a 8-3 lead.
World number 11 Naraoka fought back with his power game but soon lost steam to a fitter and inspired Lanier, who beat world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Victor Lai en route to the final.
In the mixed doubles, French pair of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue beat Chinese top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 22-20 19-21 21-15 to get a first-ever world championship gold for France.
In women's doubles final, South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee beat the top-ranked Chinese pair of Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 21-15, 21-15.
