Alex Lanier becomes youngest men's singles champion at Badminton European Championships

Defeating compatriot Toma Junior Popov in straight games, Alex Lanier also won his maiden title in the competition.

At just 20 years and 77 days old, Alex Lanier has etched his name into the history books as the youngest men’s singles champion at the Badminton European Championships. The previous record was held by Denmark’s Peter Gade, who won the title in 1998 at 21 years and 132 days.

In the final, Lanier triumphed over compatriot Toma Junior Popov with a confident 21-17, 21-18 victory.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done,” Lanier said after the match. “This title didn’t come out of nowhere. I knew I had the weapons to win, and I think I handled it well until the end.”

Toma, the first player since 1984 to contest both the men’s finals, later made amends by taking the doubles gold with younger brother Christo. The Popovs battled past fellow Frenchmen Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi in a hard-fought 68-minute final, eventually prevailing 21-12, 18-21, 21-18.

In women’s singles, Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt celebrated her first European title with a straight-games 21-16, 21-17 win over Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour.

Also Read: Kunlavut Vitidsarn scripts history; lifts Thailand’s first MS title at Badminton Asia Championships

Elsewhere, Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva cemented their place in the history books, becoming the joint-most successful women’s pair in tournament history by equalling the four European titles won by Danish greats Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen.

The Bulgarian sisters did not drop a single game throughout the week and sealed the championship with a 21-11, 21-16 win over Denmark’s Natasja P. Anthonisen and Maiken Fruergaard.

In the other final, Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund captured gold by defeating top seeds Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue 21-18, 21-19.

Reflecting on the triumph, Magelund told Badminton Europe: “It’s really nice to stand here with the gold instead of bronze like last year. I’m so proud of us for keeping this level all week.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram