At just 19 years old, Frenchman Alex Lanier has established himself as one of the most promising talents in international badminton. Awarded Monday with the “Rising Star” prize at the annual gala of the International Badminton Federation (BWF) in Hangzhou, China, he concludes an exceptional year 2024, marked by a spectacular rise in the world rankings.
Alex Lanier wins the “Eddy Choong rising star 2024” trophy! 🏆
His meteoric rise has been rewarded 🥳
A nice rise in power, while waiting for the #ChampionnatsduMonde in Paris next August…
🖼️ @bwfmedia #BWFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/3hNoFCNokl
— FFBaD (@FFBaD) December 9, 2024
A dazzling progression
Lanier made his mark with his remarkable progress on the international circuit. Between October 2023 and October 2024, the young Normand rose from 63rd to 15th in the world in singles. Currently ranked 18th, the INSEP resident has managed to climb among the best thanks to very high level performances, despite his absence at the Paris Olympic Games.
After his fantastic week at the Denmark Open, Alex Lanier climbed to 15th place in the world rankings 😮, the best ranking reached by a Frenchman in men’s singles.
To discover his journey, it’s right here 👉 https://t.co/vg3vGwplTm#badminton #bwf #alexlanier pic.twitter.com/V6rdQmokrD
— Badmania (@Badmania_fr) October 22, 2024
This rise in power earned him the prestigious prize awarded by the BWF, which recognizes each year the player who has shown the best progress. Lanier was able to convince the jury thanks to impressive results and victories against the best in the world.
Historical exploits
2024 will be remembered as a pivotal year in Alex Lanier’s career. He became the first Frenchman to win a Super 750 tournament, a prestigious category, by winning at the Japan Open in August. On this occasion, he also made history as the youngest player to win a title of this magnitude.
Lanier continued to impress after this feat, notably reaching the semi-finals of the Denmark Open, another Super 750 tournament. These performances allowed him to assert himself against world-renowned opponents, beating by the way the three players at the top of the BWF ranking:
Shi Yu Qi (n°1, Chinese)
Anders Antonsen (n°2, Denmark)
Viktor Axelsen (n°3, Denmark)
These landmark victories confirm Lanier’s ability to compete with the elite and establish himself as a serious contender for the biggest titles in the years to come.
A rising star for the future of French badminton
The “Rising Star” distinction awarded to Lanier highlights his key role in the development of badminton in France. The first Frenchman to win a Super 750 tournament, he paves the way for a new generation of French players capable of shining on the international scene.
Lanier is on an upward trajectory that could put him in contention for Olympic and world medals in the near future. His youth, his technique and his tactical maturity make him a formidable opponent and a major hope for French badminton.
A promising year 2025
As the 2024 season ends with this prestigious recognition, Alex Lanier is now turning to new challenges for 2025. With his exploits and his improving world ranking, he will be expected in major tournaments, where he will be able to confirm his status as rising star and continue to write the history of French badminton.
On the road to an exceptional career, Alex Lanier seems destined to shine even brighter on the international stage, inspiring a new generation of players in search of success.
