From August 25 to 31, 2025, Paris welcomed the World Badminton Championships at Adidas Arena, Porte de la Chapelle.
Nothing to do with the world championships, in the heat of Coubertin, from August 2010. At that time with 145,000 licensees, France dreamed in large, today with 238,000 licensees, it organizes, for the second time, the world championships.
For Franck Laurent, president of the FFBAD: “We want to make this event a continuity of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which took place in this same room to rekindle the flame of joy, sharing and living together”.
Khonying Patama Lesswadtrakul, the BWF’s Press, acquisite : “France has become one of the greatest successes in badminton, I cannot imagine more appropriate for Paris to welcome the Total Energies BWF World Championships 2025”.
About fifteen French players came to defend our colors with the desire to make them shine against the best world players and the 50,000 spectators expected on these 7 days of competition. The Blues, after a season marked by great performances, can think of a first world title at home. After three days of competition, a good chain of five games and four victories for our French. The Blues unleashed the public from the Arena. Everything was at best for our champions Alex Lanier, Christo and Toma Popov Jr and in mixed double for Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel, all qualified for the knockout stages. A memorable feat for the simple man, with three French people at this stage of the competition.
After our visit to the Arena, it was unfortunately not the wind of air conditioners, a subject tackled by the players, who will have dropped it. Faced with Shi Yu Qi (world number 1) Christo Popov passes very close to the feat, in the eighth in Final, in a match to turn back situations by pushing the Chinese in his entrenchments (20-22,21-13,21-18). An end of the premature course for Alex Lanier (world top 10) released from the round of 16 of the world championships on Thursday in Paris, after a heavy defeat against Weng Hong Yang (21-18, 21-12).
Alex Lanier : “I was just bad”.
Last tricolor representative in the simple men’s picture of the 2025 world championships, Toma Junior Popov, 26, close to the feat, bowed after a hectic fight of 1h19, against the world number 2, Anders Antonsen, (6-21, 22-20, 21-19). In the quarter -final of the mixed double, Tom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue (n ° 8), the last French hope of these world championships, triumphed in front of the Xing Cheng and Chi Zhang pair (n ° 12 china). In an overwhelming arena, the vice -champions of Europe are gratifying with a beautiful medal. The last days at the Porte de la Chapelle will be decisive for the title of world champion.
There were special expectations in terms of results for the French. Medals would have been a locomotive for the Federation which has invested for many years: in the supervision, the structuring, it is starting to bear fruit.
Bernard Bertucco Van Damme (Press Agency Sports), special envoy to Adidas Arena, Paris.
Badminton World Championships 2025: Key Moments and Reflections
Table of Contents
The 2025 BWF World Badminton Championships in Paris showcased thrilling matches, remarkable performances, and the rising prominence of French badminton. This year’s tournament, held at the Adidas Arena, Porte de la Chapelle, brought together the world’s top badminton players, creating a memorable spectacle for the sport’s global fanbase. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways.
Key Statistics and French Performance
| Category | Statistic | Notes |
| —————————- | ————————————————————————————————————————————— | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Total Spectators | Approximately 50,000 expected | Demonstrates the growing popularity of badminton in France. |
| French Players in Competition | ~15 | A strong showing with several players advancing to the knockout stages. |
| French Licensees (2025) | 238,000 | Notable growth from 145,000 licensees in 2010, highlighting the sport’s advancement in France. |
| Top French Performances | Toma Junior Popov (Quarter-Finals), Delphine Delrue & Thom Gicquel (Quarter-Finals – Mixed Doubles) | Displayed resilience and skill, narrowly missing out on further advancement. |
| Notable upsets | Christo Popov’s close match against Shi Yu Qi (World #1) | Showcased the rising level of French badminton and the ability to challenge top-ranked players. |
| Prize Money | Not Available | Details on prize pools were not readily available within the provided documents. |
Analysis of French Badminton’s Progress
The 2025 World Championships highlighted the progress of French badminton. While the French players faced tough competition, their participation and performances, especially in the knockout stages, were encouraging. The increase in the number of french licensees and the investment in the sport by the French Badminton Federation (FFBAD), as President Franck Laurent stated, are beginning to pay off.The goal, as expressed by Laurent, to build on the momentum of the 2024 Olympics held in the same venue, is visibly taking shape.
Player Spotlights
Toma Junior Popov: Despite a valiant effort, Popov fell short against Anders Antonsen. His performance, however, reinforced his growing reputation as a formidable player.
Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel: the mixed doubles pair, currently ranked 8th in the world, reached the quarterfinals, showcasing their skill and determination.
The Bigger Picture: Badminton in France
The 2025 World Championships were more than just a sporting event; they were a statement of France’s commitment to badminton. The tournament served as a platform to connect with the sport’s global audience and demonstrate France’s ability to host major international events. Moreover, it provided an opportunity to boost the sport’s profile and inspire the next generation of badminton players.
FAQ: Your Questions About the 2025 Badminton World Championships Answered
To further assist our readers, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions.
Q: Where did the 2025 BWF world Championships take place?
A: The tournament was held at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.
Q: When did the World Badminton Championships 2025 take place?
A: The event ran from August 25 to 31, 2025.
Q: How many French players participated in the tournament?
A: Approximately fifteen French players competed in the championships.
Q: Did any French players make it to the final rounds?
A: Yes, several French players advanced to the knockout stages, including toma Junior Popov and the mixed doubles pair of Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel.
Q: How has French badminton grown in recent years?
A: The number of French badminton licensees has grown substantially,from 145,000 in 2010 to 238,000 in 2025,demonstrating increasing interest and investment in the sport.
