French badminton players secured 15 medals, including eight European titles, at the 2026 European Senior Championships held in Cagliari, Italy, from September 19 to 27, according to results published by the Fédération Française de Badminton (FFBAD). More than 220 French competitors traveled to Sardinia for the continental tournament, translating their entries into a dominant showing across multiple age categories.
French Gold Medalists Claim Eight European Titles in Cagliari
The Tricolores topped the podium in eight separate events during the week-long competition at the Italian venue. Elsa Danckers set the tone for the French delegation by capturing the women’s singles 35+ title. In the men’s 35+ division, Alexandre Francoise teamed with Anthony Nelson to win the doubles crown, while Francoise returned alongside Elise Francoise to secure the mixed doubles 35+ gold medal.
The momentum continued into the 40+ and 45+ age categories. Baptiste Careme and Bruno Cazau combined to win the men’s doubles 40+, and Careme doubled up by partnering with Céline Heude to take the mixed doubles 40+ title. Thomas Blondeau claimed the men’s singles 45+ gold and added a second title in mixed doubles 45+ alongside Elodie Eymard. Eymard also partnered with Elisa Chanteur to win the women’s doubles 45+ championship, rounding out the eight gold-medal performances for France.
Silver and Bronze Podiums Expand the French Medal Count
Beyond the gold medalists, the French team added three silver and four bronze medals to solidify their standing in the European rankings. Karine Dio finished as runner-up in the women’s singles 35+. Anthony Nelson and Maily Turlan earned silver in the mixed doubles 40+, and Eric Wasylyk claimed second place in the men’s singles 45+ division.
The bronze medal haul featured Yoann Turlan in the men’s singles 35+, Romain Flepp in the men’s singles 45+, and Jean-Jacques Bontemps in the men’s singles 60+. Kaneson Sethuraman also secured a bronze medal in the men's doubles 70+ category playing alongside an Austrian partner.
Detailed Breakdown of French Medalists at the 2026 European Senior Championships
The complete list of podium finishes for the French delegation across the Cagliari tournament includes:
- Gold (European Champions): Elsa Danckers (Women’s Singles 35+); Alexandre Francoise / Anthony Nelson (Men’s Doubles 35+); Alexandre Francoise / Elise Francoise (Mixed Doubles 35+); Baptiste Careme / Bruno Cazau (Men’s Doubles 40+); Baptiste Careme / Céline Heude (Mixed Doubles 40+); Thomas Blondeau (Men’s Singles 45+); Elisa Chanteur / Elodie Eymard (Women’s Doubles 45+); Thomas Blondeau / Elodie Eymard (Mixed Doubles 45+).
- Silver: Karine Dio (Women’s Singles 35+); Anthony Nelson / Maily Turlan (Mixed Doubles 40+); Eric Wasylyk (Men’s Singles 45+).
- Bronze: Yoann Turlan (Men’s Singles 35+); Romain Flepp (Men’s Singles 45+); Jean-Jacques Bontemps (Men’s Singles 60+); Kaneson Sethuraman and his Austrian partner (Men’s Doubles 70+).
Complete results and bracket breakdowns by age category remain available through Badminton Europe.
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