World Championships 2026 in New Delhi: France win two first world titles, with Lanier and Gicquel/Delrue
On 23 August 2026 A. Lanier won men's singles and Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue won mixed doubles, both firsts for France.
Mixed doubles
At the World Championships in New Delhi (Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium), Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, world No. 5, beat China's top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 on Sunday 23 August 2026, according to the New Straits Times and Khaleej Times. It is France's first world title in the event, and the New Straits Times says it is Europe's first world title in a paired event since 2009. Delrue said she was "super proud to win the first world title for France".
Men's singles
The same day, 21-year-old A. Lanier beat Japan's Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men's singles final, Khaleej Times and Morung Express (IANS) report. He is the first French player to win a world singles title. Khaleej Times adds that he is the 2025 European champion and that on the way he beat world No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
History
Morung Express writes that before this tournament France had won only two bronze medals in the championships' history; the two golds are its first.
Other finals
According to Khaleej Times alone: An Se-young beat Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14 for her second world title; Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee beat Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 21-15, 21-15 in women's doubles; and China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang beat Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21-17, 21-16 in men's doubles.
Why it matters
For French readers, two world titles on one day are the first the country has won at this event; for club players it is a reminder that Europe can still win at the top level, in singles and in mixed doubles.