New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): France's Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue created history by winning the mixed doubles title at the BWF World Championships, becoming the first French pair to claim the prestigious crown.
The French duo defeated top-seeded Chinese pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 in a thrilling final to secure the biggest title of their careers.
Gicquel and Delrue started strongly by taking the opening game 22-20, but the Chinese pair fought back to level the contest after winning the second game 21-19.
In the deciding game, the French pair held their composure under pressure and sealed the title with a 21-15 victory.
The triumph marks a historic moment for French badminton, as Gicquel and Delrue became the first pair from the country to win a World Championships gold medal.
The victory also marks a remarkable improvement from last year's edition, where the French pair settled for a bronze medal. Twelve months later, they went on to claim the world title.
Their gold medal ended a 17-year wait for a European pair to win the mixed doubles World Championships crown.
"A lot of emotion, really, really happy and super proud to win the first gold for France. It was an amazing match; both pairs played really well, and we had to try a lot for a win. It's amazing to hear the national anthem on the podium for the first time," Delrue said later, according to BWF website,
"We're thinking, it's amazing to be between two Chinese flags," said Gicquel. "When you are 10 years old, you don't really think that can happen, and it's really hard to believe, actually. It's really important for French badminton." (ANI)
Gicquel, Delrue win BWF World Championships; first French team to win mixed doubles title
