France, Aug. 25 -- The world badminton championships got underway on Monday in Paris with the pressure on the local heroes Alex Lanier as well as the Popov brothers - Toma Junior and Christo - to translate their dominance at the European championships onto the global stage.
Lanier gave notice of his potential in August 2024, when he tore through the field to claim the Japan Open and become the first Frenchman to win a World Tour Super 750 event - one of the most coveted trophies on the circuit.
The 20-year-old confirmed that promise at the European championships in April in Denmark where he claimed the gold medal at the expense of compatriot Toma Junior Popov.
The Popovs combined during the championships in Horsens to claim gold. They wi...