Christo Popov, the rise to world summits
In March 2025, very close to leaving the world top 32 which guarantees a place in the biggest tournaments in the world, Christo Popov was far from imagining the feat he would achieve a few months later. The 23-year-old Frenchman made history on December 21 by becoming the first French player to win the BWF World Tour Finals.
In this tournament which brings together the eight best players in the world over the year in Hangzhou (China), the left-hander won in style. He successively beat the Dane Anders Antonsen (3rd), the Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn (2nd), the Indonesian Jonatan Christie (5th), the Japanese Kodai Naraoka (9th) and the Chinese Shi Yu Qi (1st) in the final. “The simple fact of participating was new (for a Frenchman, editor’s note) but it must become almost commonplace” to offer himself such prestigious titles, relished the native of Sofia (Bulgaria) after his coronation.
Passed from 31e at 7e place in the global rankings, Christo Popov was rewarded for his consistency, notably with a final at the French Open in October in Rennes, again a first for a Habs. The player from Fos-sur-Mer also made the Adidas Arena roar in August during the World Championships in Paris. Although he had been narrowly beaten (20-22, 21-13, 21-18) by Shi Yu Qi in the round of 16, the youngest of the Popov brothers took his revenge on the world champion in the Finals to end the year in style.
Gicquel/Delrue, the home medal that is almost worth gold
They too have written a completely new page. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had an exceptional season, crowned with a bronze medal at the Worlds. Nine years after their debut together, the French became the first to reach a world podium in doubles (only Hongyan Pi won bronze in women’s singles, in 2009).
In Paris, the mixed doubles pair had been particularly strong at the end of the summer, which had drawn the spotlight on them. Rather discreet as usual, the two partners were delighted with the enthusiasm that their performance had generated: “I hope that what we achieved this week will create vocations and make young people want to start badminton,” shared the player from Mulhouse after the defeat in the semi-final at the World Championships. “We hope that this is the first step on the road to Los Angeles 2028. We hope to build on that to get an Olympic medal afterwards,” the 27-year-old also spoke positively at our microphone in the mixed zone.
Before that, Gicquel and Delrue had already caused a sensation in June by winning the Indonesian Super 1000, the equivalent of a Grand Slam in tennis. A tournament category that no Frenchman has yet managed to add to his list of achievements. We almost come to forget that they are also European vice-champions after the silver gleaned in April in Horsens (Denmark). Ending 2025 at 5e world place, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue are already announcing the color for 2026.
Alex Lanier, between continental brilliance and global disillusionment
Alex Lanier’s year 2025 was one of contrasts, but it remains no less historic. In the spring, at the age of 20, he became the youngest European singles champion in history and in the process the first Frenchman to reign on the continent. A result which confirmed his first very high-level season in 2024 where he won a Super 750 in Japan, unheard of at the time for a French player.
Enough to be ambitious for the World Championships in Paris. “A medal and it would be a successful Worlds. To win would be exceptional,” dreamed the person concerned at INSEP before beginning his preparation for this deadline. But the big meeting in the capital was cut short. Widely favored against the Chinese Weng Hong Yang, the ASPTT Strasbourg player was stopped short in the round of 16 (21-18, 21-12), while leading 11-3 in the first set. “I was just bad,” lamented Alex Lanier, very “frustrated” after this defeat. Except for this disillusionment, the Frenchman has again demonstrated regularity on the circuit this year, with a title at the Orléans Masters (Super 300), a final at the Japan Open (Super 750) and even a semi-final at the All England (Super 1000). He will therefore approach 2026 in the shoes of the 8e world player, just behind Christo Popov.
Toma Junior Popov, king of Europe with his brother
Unlike his brother Christo, Toma Junior Popov did not manage to compete in any tournament this year in singles. Blame it on Alex Lanier, who beat him in the final of the European Championships in Denmark (21-17, 21-18). Annoyed, “Tomi” should not have ruminated since an hour later, he returned to the field with his younger brother.
Opposed to Éloi Adam and Léo Rossi, the Popov brothers won (21-12, 18-21, 21-18) in a 100% French final, offering a new, unprecedented gold medal to the French clan. “Coming back on the court, my heart rate was very high. So I let him cover for me, he did most of the work. I congratulate Christo,” Toma Junior reacted with class. At 27, he finished 2025 in 15th place in the world in singles, his career high, and in 20th position in doubles with his brother. A few years ago, the eldest of the Popov brothers would have been by far the best Frenchman on the international circuit. But the competition is now tough among the Blues, the emulation is even stronger and 2026 could still be a great vintage for the French team.
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