VIDEO. “The work has paid off”: Alex Lanier's historic feat as winner of the Japan tournament, a first for a Frenchman in badminton

Frenchman Alex Lanier has achieved a historic feat. XinHua – Zhang Xiaoyu

Alex Lanier achieved a real feat by becoming, at 19, the first Frenchman and one of the youngest in history to win a badminton competition of such importance on the world circuit by winning the Super 750 tournament in Japan on Sunday.

In Yokohama, in the southern suburbs of Tokyo, Lanier, world No. 29, beat Taiwanese Chou Tien-chen, world No. 10, in the final in two sets (21-17, 22-20), to triumph in this tournament category which corresponds to the second level of the international circuit.

“It's really cool. “I have trouble finding the words” , declared at a press conference the new French sensation who concluded a dream week with this success.

On Saturday in the semi-final, the Norman had made an impression by dominating the world number one, the Chinese Shi Yu Qi, at the end of a fierce match (17-21, 21-16, 21-18) lasting almost 1h30.

Before that, the student at the Sorbonne, who took his first steps with rackets in hand at a very young age following his parents who were amateur badminton players, had notably eliminated the Malaysian Lee Zii Jia, world number 6 and Olympic bronze medallist in Paris, and the Japanese Kenta Nishimoto, world number 11.

Absent at the Olympics

Absent at the Olympics 2024, since the French were only allowed to have one player selected individually, the French No. 1 Toma Junior Popov, and not selected in doubles, Lanier was able to perfect his preparation.

During the Olympics, “I worked hard physically and mentally. I didn't like that period. But it was necessary to go through it to be ready for this tournament. And the work paid off this week. I was in good physical shape and that's really important at the top level”, he rejoiced.

Not impressed in the final by the stakes, nor by his experienced opponent, 34 years old and former world No. 2, the Frenchman was nevertheless trailing 17-10 in the opening set of this final match. But as a sign of his confidence, he made an incredible comeback by scoring 11 consecutive points to win the opening set in 29 minutes (21-17).

The former world No. 1 in the junior category continued his momentum by relying on his mobility and his very good defense. And the Caen native won on his first match point to conclude an often spectacular match in 1 hour 09.

Objective: the 2025 World Championships in Paris

In July, Lanier, the Frenchman's No. 3 in the world rankings behind brothers Toma Junior (No. 19) and Christo (No. 26) Popov, reached the final of the Canadian Open, a Super 500, which allowed him to enter the world Top 30.

But the young man obviously does not intend to stop there. “I think my long-term goal is to be No. 1 in the world and win the Olympic gold medal as well as the world title. But I prefer first and foremost to focus on what I have to do on the court,” he explained.