The Biggest Surprise in Men’s Badminton This Year Came from a 19-Year-Old Frenchman

Beating the world’s top-ranked player is a daunting task in any sport—and fully realizing what that achievement means can be just as difficult. In Yokohama, however, 19-year-old Alex Lanier managed to do both. On Sunday, August 25, he captured the Japan Open title, delivering a historic performance for French badminton.

After stunning China’s Shi Yu Qi, the world number one, earlier in the tournament, the Caen-born player followed up with another major victory in the final. He defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen, ranked tenth in the world, in straight games (21-17, 22-20). With this win, Lanier became the first French badminton player ever to claim a Super 750 title, the second-highest tier on the international circuit.

Facing Chou, a 34-year-old veteran accustomed to high-pressure finals, Lanier once again entered the match as the underdog. Ranked 29th globally, the young Frenchman struggled early and fell behind 17-10 in the opening game. But he dramatically raised his level of play, winning eleven points in a row to take the first set.

Confidence clearly carried him through a remarkable week in which he also defeated Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto (world number 11) and Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia (world number 6 and Olympic bronze medalist in Paris). Despite growing fatigue and mounting pressure, Lanier maintained his composure and edged out the second game 22-20 to secure the title.

Eyes on Paris 2025

“It’s unbelievable to have been able to sustain such a high standard throughout the entire tournament,” Lanier said after the match, according to Ouest-France. “I stayed strong from the first round to the final and managed to finish the job. That was something I felt I had been missing—proving to myself that I can still perform at a top level even when I feel completely exhausted.”

Unlike his fellow French players Toma and Christo Popov, Lanier did not qualify for the Olympic Games. Instead, he used that period to focus intensely on physical conditioning and mental preparation. Although he admitted it was not an enjoyable phase, the results were undeniable. “All the hard work paid off this week,” he explained. “I felt physically strong, and at this level, that makes all the difference.”

While Paris 2024 passed him by, the French capital remains firmly in his sights. Paris will host the Badminton World Championships in August 2025, and Lanier has set his ambitions high. “My long-term dream is to become world number one and to win both an Olympic gold medal and a world championship,” he said. “I want to achieve something truly exceptional.”