New Delhi, Aug. 24:
France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue created badminton history by becoming the country’s first-ever mixed doubles world champions at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
The French pair defeated China’s top-seeded Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 in a thrilling final to claim France’s first BWF World Championships gold.
Gicquel and Delrue held their nerve after surrendering the second game, producing a composed performance in the decider to win 21-15. The victory marks a landmark moment for French badminton, which had never previously produced a world champion in the mixed doubles event.
France enjoyed an extraordinary championship, with Alex Lanier also becoming the country’s first men’s singles world champion after defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11. The double triumph represents an unprecedented breakthrough for French badminton on the world stage.