With just 60 days to go, the Adidas Arena in Paris is gearing up to host the 29th BWF World Championships, a mere year after it served as the venue for the badminton events of the Paris Olympic Games. This marks a significant return for the championship to the French capital, which previously hosted the 18th edition in 2010.
However, this year’s tournament promises a different narrative. France has rapidly emerged as a formidable force in world badminton, boasting top-tier players who are now genuine contenders for medals across multiple categories—a first for the nation.
Leading the charge are Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, who made history by winning France’s first-ever BWF World Tour Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open. They are joined by world No. 8 Alex Lanier, a European champion and Japan Open winner, and the Popov brothers, Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov, who are competitive in both singles and doubles. This surge signifies a new era for French badminton.
Beyond these standout athletes, France will have a strong contingent of other participants, including Arnaud Merkle and Léonice Huet in women’s singles, Eloi Adam and Ruben Garcia in men’s doubles, Margot Lambert and Anne Tran along with Téa Paquet and Flavie Vallet in women’s doubles, and Mathieu Maïo and Romain Palermo in mixed doubles.
The echoes of the Paris Olympics are expected to resonate strongly at this championship. With many of the same athletes competing in the very same arena, the event is set to evoke fond memories of the Olympic spectacle. For those who witnessed the 2024 Paris Olympics, the World Championships offer another chance to see remarkable performances from athletes who shone on the grandest stage.
Among them, An Se-young stands out. Since her Olympic gold medal win, her dominance has only grown. Having competed in 10 tournaments and secured 7 titles in the past 12 months, she is a strong favorite to clinch her second World Championships title.
Defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, a finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has also been in excellent form during the Asian season, securing three consecutive titles. The Thai shuttler, who earned an Olympic silver medal, will be looking to make another podium finish. All eyes will also be on Viktor Axelsen, who defeated Vitidsarn for the Olympic gold, as he makes his return from back surgery.
Adding to the intrigue, the reigning champions in all doubles categories will be absent from this year’s tournament, opening up the field and promising exciting battles for the titles.
While the past year has seen the retirement of several prominent players, including Olympic champions Lee Yang, Zheng Siwei, and Huang Yaqiong, along with silver medalist He Bingjiao, the tournament still boasts a star-studded lineup. The competition across all categories has been exceptionally fierce in recent months, and as the 2025 Paris World Championships draw nearer, it’s clear that, apart from An Se-young, there is no single overwhelming favorite for gold in any event.
However, two months is ample time for dramatic shifts in form and performance. Five World Tour events – the US Open, Canada Open, Japan Open, China Open, and Macau Open – are scheduled during this period, offering players crucial opportunities to fine-tune their preparations before the championship begins.