At the Japan Open on Sunday, French teenager Alex Lanier won his first major badminton title by defeating seasoned Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien Chen 21-17, 22-20.
The 19-year-old surprised everyone by making it to the finals after defeating Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, the bronze medallist from Paris, and China’s Shi Yuqi, the current world number one.
After playing the best badminton of his career, 29-year-old Lanier promised to “achieve something really huge” at the World Championship in Paris the following year.
“I have no words actually,” he said of his victory.
“I want to be one of the best players.”
Lanier was a well-liked winner who received fervent applause from the Yokohama Arena audience.
The Frenchman, who did not participate in the Olympics in Paris, attributed his triumph to his diligent summer preparation for the Japan Open.
“I need to win these kinds of tournaments to be prepared for the World Championship, and I will try to do my best in front of the French crowd also,” he said
“I’m just now focused on what I’m doing on court, how to play matches against the best ones in the world.”
