World Badminton Championships: Delrue and Gicquel secure France's first world title in mixed doubles

Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel have made history for French badminton, clinching the mixed doubles world championship title in New Delhi. The French duo triumphed over the formidable Chinese pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, who are ranked world No. 1, in a hard-fought three-set final.

The victory is a landmark achievement, marking the first time France has secured a world championship title in this discipline. Delrue and Gicquel, partners for about a decade, have consistently reached high levels in the sport, adding this prestigious title to their already remarkable careers.

Their path to the final included overcoming another strong Chinese pair in the semifinals. The final match itself was a tense affair, with Delrue and Gicquel demonstrating resilience and skill to overcome their opponents after a challenging second set. They had previously won a Super 1000 title and a European championship, and earned bronze at the World Championships last year.

Meanwhile, French player Alex Lanier is set to compete in the men's singles, aiming to cause an upset against Japan's Kodai Naraoka.