THAILAND MASTERS (Super 300) – Arnaud MERKLE stumbles on the winner
Arnaud MERKLE (n°37) is quietly making his mark at the start of the year in World Tour tournaments after winning five International Challenge tournaments in 2025. After the Indonesia Super 500 Masters where he lost in the first round the previous week, the Mulhouse native did better last week with a round of 16 at the Thailand Masters, played in the heart of the capital Bangkok. The Frenchman won against the Indian SUBRAMANIAN in three sets 21/13 14/21 21/10 but lost in the next round 13/21 19/21 against the future winner, the Indonesian Moh Zaki UBAIDILLAH (n°44). No victory however for the two duos ADAM/ROSSI et CATTOEN/RENOIR. This stage marked the end of the Asian tour this January with a little respite coming on the world circuit to make way for the national and continental team championships.
INTERNATIONAL GIRLS CUP 2026 – France wins the competition
In this U15 tournament honoring the best young European players of their generation, several nations were invited: France, Hungary, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany, England and Denmark. After a good group stage, the French team n°1, made up of Maria POPOV, Lison PREVOST and Mila BORRELLY, surpassed Denmark in the final, winning 3 games to 1. Team n°2 finished in third place.
BABOLAT FRENCH INTERNATIONAL BORDERS 2026 – The Blues shine
A benchmark competition in Europe for under-15s, the Babolat “FIB” took place this weekend in Schiltigheim with nearly 350 players from the four corners of the old continent. If the English continue to prove their rise in power among young people, the Tricolores have collected a good number of medals, including a hat-trick for Colin FOUCAULT SHIROWJAN in the under 11 category. After a coronation in singles, he won with his club partner from Vitry (94) Maxime CHAN HIN and mixed with Eva LEIGLON. In the U13 category, it’s the young Read Lumei BOLUSSET who distinguished himself with two titles, in singles and in doubles with Fleur MUNCH. The women’s doubles returns to Louka BIHAN et Lyam MARCEL. Also doubled in U15 for Esteyban SAINTHUILEthe local stage (BCS67) which won two gold medals, in singles and doubles with Edgar PREVOT. 8 titles in all with a ninth ofEva LAIGLON in U11 ladies doubles with a Belgian partner.
Esteyban SAINTHUILLE – archive photo
VETERANS CIRCUIT – Quimperle and Montbrison in unison
Two for the price of one: those over 35 found themselves in two different locations counting for the same 3th stage of the national veterans circuit. In Finistère, the premises shone, particularly in the V1/V2 series with the stage premises, Florian LEGUYADERfrom Badminton Club Kemperle, who won in the final 26/24 21/18 against Nicolas LANDRY. Sylviane LEPIMPECaccustomed to national podiums, lost in the final of the ladies’ doubles V1V2 and the mixed V3/V4. No single ladies, due to lack of participants in the different categories. Note the title in V5/V6 for Régine GLONDU and Isabelle MARRIEalso seasoned players, against the Ile-de-France Cécilia BRUN and Nchi PREVOT. The latter leaves with gold in mixed with Claude ELIA.
Sylviane LEPIMPEC – photo d’archives
Meanwhile, in the Loire, small paintings often gave rise to single hens – but, this time, with paintings of simple ladies where, for example, Marine FAYARD skims over the debates in V1/V2. One of the exploits of the weekend goes to Jérémy POUZET (R6) in this same category, who overcomes two better ranked opponents, including Gaëtan VERMOREL (R4) during a marathon match won 23/21 in the third set. The two singles heroes make a double, in mixed for Jérémy POUZET with Elodie SAMUEL and in women’s doubles for Marine FAYARD with Carine MESSANI. François GUILLAUME and Dominique BOSSERT won in single V3/V4 brilliantly.
TO BE CONTINUED THIS WEEK…
International rest. All eyes will be turned towards Caen, where the crème de la crème of French badminton will be in the running to glean the five titles of French Elite Champions. The competition has never been so tough, particularly in men’s singles, where the four top seeds are in the world’s top 40, including two in the top 10. Alex LANIER will come to defend his title against the man in form of the moment, Christo POPOV, winner of the World Tour Finals in December and main guest of Stage 2 on Sunday February 1st. With Toma Junior POPOV and Arnaud MERKLE in ambush. And there will inevitably be a new French champion in women’s singles since the title holder, Xuefei QI, is absent this year. Take advantage of the latest tickets to come and support your favorite players!
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