Author: Clément JUBAU

May was marked by several major events in the world of badminton. Competing across Asia, the champions of the 32nd Orléans Masters Badminton continue their season on the international circuit. Here’s a look back at the performances of our eight winners.

Alex Lanier continues his rise :

Our reigning men’s singles champion, however, did not start the month of May in the best possible way. He was eliminated in the second round of the Malaysia Masters (Super 500) by China’s HU Zhe An (No. 52) in three sets: 21/15, 16/21, 15/21.

The Frenchman bounced back brilliantly, winning the Singapore Open (Super 750) just a few days later. Notably, he defeated the world No. 3, Denmark’s Anders ANTONSEN, in the quarterfinals with a score of 14/21, 21/16, 21/16.

In the final, Alex LANIER (No. 9) faced local favorite LOH Kean Yew (No. 14), a former world champion backed by a raucous crowd. Trailing after the first set, the Frenchman showed remarkable mental fortitude to turn the match around and win in three sets, 17/21, 21/15, 21/14.

This victory marks his first title since his win at the Orléans Masters Badminton and his second Super 750 level title. A performance that confirms the young Frenchman’s talent and his place among the best players on the world tour.

 

The Asian tour continues this week with the Indonesia Open (Super 1000), where he will aim to build on this momentum.

Nozomi OKUHARA in search of consistency :

After reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships last April, where she lost to South Korea’s SIM Yu Jin (No. 31) with a score of 21/18, 21/11. Our women’s singles champion and former world champion, Nozomi OKUHARA (No. 12, JAPAN), had a more challenging month of May.

The Japanese player was eliminated in her opening match at the Singapore Open by Denmark’s Line CHRISTOPHERSEN (No. 17) after a close match that ended 21/23, 18/21. She will attempt to get back on the winning track this week at the Indonesia Open, where she will face India’s Unnati HOODA (No. 23) in the first round.

Sumire NAKADE and Miyu TAKAHASHI Shine in China :

Competing in the Baoji China Masters (Super 100), Sumire NAKADE and Miyu TAKAHASHI (JAPAN) had a flawless run to claim the title. They won the final against the Malaysian pair Zi Yu LOW and Noraqilah MAISARAH (No. 84) with a score of 21/13, 21/17.

Despite having recently teamed up, the two Japanese players are off to an excellent start to the 2026 season. They have won the two tournaments they have competed in together, including the Orléans Masters Badminton. This bodes very well for the rest of their journey on the international circuit.

Thom GICQUEL and Delphine DELRUE Eliminated Early in Singapore :

In mixed doubles, Thom GICQUEL and Delphine DELRUE (No. 5, FRANCE) did not have the run they had hoped for at the Singapore Open. Tipped as contenders for the later rounds, the French pair were upset in the round of 32 by the Chinese duo GAO Jia Xuan and WEI Ya Xin (CHINA) 16/21, 21/19, 25/27.

LIN Xiang Yi and HU Ke Yuan face stiff competition :

In men’s doubles, LIN Xiang Yi and HU Ke Yuan (No. 29, CHINA) have played a series of tournaments featuring several high-level matches.

The duo kicked off May at the Toyota Thailand Open (Super 500), where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Indonesians Leo Rolly CARNANDO and Daniel MARTHIN with a score of 16/21, 13/21.

Their best result of the month came at the Malaysia Masters (Super 500), where they reached the quarterfinals. After taking revenge on the No. 20 Indonesian pair, they were subsequently stopped by the Malaysians Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik (No. 2) 15/21, 16/21.

Finally, at the Singapore Open (Super 750), the Chinese pair failed to defeat the world No. 1s, South Koreans KIM Won Ho and SEO Seung Jae, losing in two sets 16/21, 17/21.

To view the results for May, click HERE.

 

To follow our champions' results at the Indonesia Open, click HERE.

A few weeks after their victories at the 2026 Orléans Masters Badminton tournament, our champions made their big return to the international stage at the European Championships in Huelva, Spain, and, for some, at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China. It was a comeback against tough competition, with the goal of building on their current momentum at the highest international level.

Our representatives in action at the Intercontinental Championships:

In men's singles, Alex LANIER (No. 9) reached the quarterfinals of the European Championships. Facing his compatriot Arnaud MERKLÉ (No. 36), he lost after a hard-fought match: 21–17, 19–21, 18–21.

In the mixed doubles, it was a disappointing start for the French pair Thom GICQUEL / Delphine DELRUE (No. 5), who were eliminated in their opening match. They lost a close match to the British pair Callum HEMMING / Estelle VAN LEEUWEN (No. 38): 17-21, 21-18, 20-22.

Several winners from the 32nd edition of the Orléans Masters Badminton tournament were also in attendance.

 

Our defending champions in men’s doubles, the Chinese pair LIN Xiangyi / HU Ke Yuan (No. 37), put up a good fight but saw their run come to an end in the round of 16 against the Malaysians Soh Wooi YIK / Aaron CHIA (No. 2), after two closely contested sets: 20–22, 19–21.

Our women's singles champion, Japan's Nozomi OKUHARA (No. 15), advanced to the quarterfinals, where she lost to South Korea's SIM Yu-jin (No. 19) with scores of 18–21, 11–21.

Other players from the Orléans Masters Badminton Club will be there:

Several players who competed in the 32nd edition of the Orléans Masters Badminton tournament also participated in these championships.

 

 

In men’s doubles, brothers Christo POPOV and Toma Junior POPOV (No. 21) had an excellent run, advancing all the way to the European Championships final. However, they lost to the English pair Ben LANE and Sean VENDY (No. 15) with a score of 15–21, 16–21.

The British mixed doubles team, having defeated our champions Thom and Delphine, advanced to the final, where they lost to the Danish pair Mathias CHRISTIANSEN and Alexandra BOJE (finalists at the 2026 Orléans Masters Badminton) with a score of 19–21, 14–21.

Finally, on the Asian continent, the women’s singles title went to South Korea’s AN Se Young (No. 1), a former champion of the 2025 Orléans Masters Badminton tournament, who confirmed her outstanding form by claiming the top spot in Asian badminton.

To view the results of the European Championships, click HERE.

 

To view the results of the Asia Championships, click HERE.

A major chapter in the history of world badminton is coming to a close. Spain’s Carolina MARÍN, an iconic figure in the sport, announced the end of her professional career on March 26.

 

Her record speaks for itself: a gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, three-time world champion, and eight-time European champion, she has established herself as one of the greatest players of all time.

 

She will be remembered in particular as the only non-Asian player to win the Olympic gold medal in women’s singles, as well as for holding the world No. 1 ranking for 66 weeks.

The Spanish badminton player also left her mark on the Orléans Masters Badminton by winning the 2023 women’s singles title. She defeated American Beiwen ZHANG in the final after an intense and hard-fought match (25-23, 9-21, 21-10) that lasted 1 hour and 5 minutes.

 

Beyond her exceptional record, Carolina Marín leaves behind the image of an extraordinary competitor, whose dedication and passion will continue to inspire future generations.

 

The entire Orléans Masters Badminton organization wishes her all the best in this new chapter.