Latest news with #AlexLanier
Khaleej Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
How a 20-year-old is leading a French revolution in world badminton
Rising French badminton star Alex Lanier admits he will be under pressure at next month's world championships in front of his home fans, but vowed on Tuesday to "stay in my own zone" away from distractions. The 20-year-old has rocketed to number eight in the world after a breakthrough year that has seen him win the Japan Open and be crowned European champion. He is aiming for more success when the world championships begin in Paris on August 25, at the venue where the Olympic badminton tournament was held last year. Lanier admits he is "not an underdog any more" and will play with a target on his back in Paris. "There is a bit of pressure but I am also taking it as a moment that I can share with family and friends," he said in Tokyo on Tuesday, where he began his Japan Open title defence with a 21-12, 21-14 win over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao. "I want to get the maximum I can and play the best I can, to share this moment with everyone," he said. "It's also interesting, this kind of condition that there are a lot of people around, a lot of distractions -- I will need to stay in my own zone." Lanier did not play at the 2024 Olympics, but he announced himself on the world stage just a couple of weeks later by winning the Japan Open. He beat China's then world number one Shi Yuqi and Malaysia's Paris Games bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia on the way to lifting his first major senior title. Golden French generation His rise gathered pace when he won the European Championships in April with a victory over fellow Frenchman Toma Junior Popov in the final. Lanier said he had improved "mentally and physically, but also technically" as he targets more Tokyo glory this week. "I think I'm not an underdog any more -- I'm definitely ready to play well and to get this title," he said. "There is definitely more pressure than last year, to be honest, but I think I'm quite good at controlling this kind of thing." French badminton is currently riding high, with Lanier, Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov all ranked in the men's singles top 20. Lanier says talk of a golden generation is premature but he believes French badminton is "improving in all areas". "Our staff is more professional, there is better structure and the young players are more professional earlier than what we were before," he said. "So I feel that yes we are performing, but also we are showing the young generation in France." French fans gave Olympic badminton a warm welcome at the Paris Games, with large crowds and enthusiastic support at the La Chapelle Arena. Lanier believes "it's going to be huge again" at the world championships, and he is looking forward to experiencing it for himself. "I think the fans enjoyed last year and I think they are expecting the same thing, and that's why they're coming," he said. "They know that it's going to be a fantastic event."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
France's new star Lanier ready for home pressure at badminton worlds
Alex Lanier celebrates his victory over China's then world number one Shi Yuqi at the Japan Open a year ago, the young Frenchman's breakthrough title (Yuichi YAMAZAKI) Rising French badminton star Alex Lanier admits he will be under pressure at next month's world championships in front of his home fans, but vowed Tuesday to "stay in my own zone" away from distractions. The 20-year-old has rocketed to number eight in the world after a breakthrough year that has seen him win the Japan Open and be crowned European champion. Advertisement He is aiming for more success when the world championships begin in Paris on August 25, at the venue where the Olympic badminton tournament was held last year. Lanier admits he is "not an underdog any more" and will play with a target on his back in Paris. "There is a bit of pressure but I am also taking it as a moment that I can share with family and friends," he said in Tokyo on Tuesday, where he began his Japan Open title defence with a 21-12, 21-14 win over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao. "I want to get the maximum I can and play the best I can, to share this moment with everyone," he said. Advertisement "It's also interesting, this kind of condition that there are a lot of people around, a lot of distractions -- I will need to stay in my own zone." Lanier did not play at the 2024 Olympics, but he announced himself on the world stage just a couple of weeks later by winning the Japan Open. He beat China's then world number one Shi Yuqi and Malaysia's Paris Games bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia on the way to lifting his first major senior title. - Golden French generation - His rise gathered pace when he won the European Championships in April with a victory over fellow Frenchman Toma Junior Popov in the final. Advertisement Lanier said he had improved "mentally and physically, but also technically" as he targets more Tokyo glory this week. "I think I'm not an underdog any more -- I'm definitely ready to play well and to get this title," he said. "There is definitely more pressure than last year, to be honest, but I think I'm quite good at controlling this kind of thing." French badminton is currently riding high, with Lanier, Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov all ranked in the men's singles top 20. Lanier says talk of a golden generation is premature but he believes French badminton is "improving in all areas". Advertisement "Our staff is more professional, there is better structure and the young players are more professional earlier than what we were before," he said. "So I feel that yes we are performing, but also we are showing the young generation in France." French fans gave Olympic badminton a warm welcome at the Paris Games, with large crowds and enthusiastic support at the La Chapelle Arena. Lanier believes "it's going to be huge again" at the world championships, and he is looking forward to experiencing it for himself. "I think the fans enjoyed last year and I think they are expecting the same thing, and that's why they're coming," he said. "They know that it's going to be a fantastic event." amk/dh
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Leong Jun Hao exits Japan Open in first round against Lanier
NATIONAL men's singles player Leong Jun Hao saw his Japan Open campaign end early after a straight-sets defeat to defending champion Alex Lanier of France. Ranked 24th in the world, Jun Hao struggled against the world number eight, losing 12-21, 14-21 in the opening round at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Lanier, the reigning champion, dominated the match from the start, leaving the 26-year-old Malaysian with little room to counter. The Frenchman's strong performance sets the tone for his title defense in Tokyo. Attention now shifts to Malaysia's doubles teams, who will compete later in the day. Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong, along with Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, will represent the men's doubles. Meanwhile, Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing will take the court in the women's doubles, hoping for better outcomes. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Lanier Sends Jun Hao Packing In First Round Of Japan Open
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- National men's singles shuttler and world number 24 Leong Jun Hao's campaign in the 2025 Japan Open came to an abrupt halt when he fell 12-21,14-21 to defending champion Alex Lanier of France in the opening round today. The 26-year-old Malaysian found the world number eight Lanier a tough nut to crack at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium as the Frenchman began his campaign in style at the Land of the Rising Sun. Meanwhile, the Malaysian camp will be hoping for better fortunes in the doubles events later this afternoon, with Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles) as well as Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing (women's doubles) taking to the courts.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Malaysian shuttler Leong Jun Hao ready to face France's Lanier in Japan Open first round
KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — National shuttler Leong Jun Hao is expecting a tough time against defending champion Alex Lanier of France in the Japan Open 2025 but says he is ready for the challenge. Jun Hao, 25, described Lanier as a player with 'strength and power' but felt that his injury-free condition allows him to fully focus on delivering his best in the tournament, which begins on Tuesday. The Malaysian, who will meet Lanier in the first round, had been eliminated as early as the round of 16 in previous Japan Open tournaments. 'So far, training has been going well. Coach Kenneth Jonassen has also been focusing on both on-court and off-court aspects, especially improving fitness,' he said. Jun Hao said he did not feel any extra pressure as the sole Malaysian men's singles representative in the tournament. 'But the experience of defeating higher-ranked players before this will surely help me on court,' he told reporters at Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara today. The world number 24 admitted that the competition in men's singles has become increasingly intense, and he is taking it as an opportunity to constantly prove his abilities. 'I think maybe among the top 50 to 60, everyone can play at a high level; no match is easy. So, I feel every game is a tough one, especially physically. Recovery becomes very important,' he added. According to the Badminton World Federation website, Malaysia's professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has withdrawn from the Japan Open. However, Team LZJ has not issued any statement on the matter. Speculation about Zii Jia's condition has arisen following a cryptic post on his social media account. — Bernama
