Big moment for Momota
Kento Momota reflected on his remarkable turnaround in fortunes after the Japanese ace’s historic triumph at badminton’s world championships on Sunday.
Just a year after returning from a 15-month ban for gambling, the 23-year-old became his country’s first male world singles champion with a convincing 21-11, 21-13 victory over rising Chinese star Shi Yuqi.
The triumph capped a so-far stunning 2018 for Momota, who also won the Asian championships, wrested the Indonesia Open title away from Denmark’s world No 1 Viktor Axelsen and was unbeaten for Japan’s national team at the Thomas Cup.
Momota’s dream of competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics was shattered in April of that year when he was suspended by the Nippon Badminton Association after admitting to being a frequent visitor to an illegal Tokyo casino.
Looking back on those dark days, he said: “I left the game for a while and I have received help since then. I believe today’s win is my payback to those who helped me.
“I’m hungry for more matches and more returns. I’m very happy to win the first men’s singles gold for Japan, but I think the honor does not only belong to me, but to all my predecessors.
“I could never accomplish this without their help and I would also like to thank the people around me.”
Despite losing in straight games, Shi was thrilled to claim silver in just his second appearance at a world championships.
The 22-year-old dispensed with two illustrious compatriots — five-time champion Lin Dan and two-time winner Chen Long — en route to the final, where too many unforced errors proved his undoing.
“It’s a breakthrough for me to be runner-up at the world championships,” said Shi, who was cheered on by relatives and friends from his nearby hometown of Nantong.
“I hope I can be stronger next year, as there’s still much room for improvement.
“I’m familiar with Lin Dan and Chen Long as they are my teammates. I would say Momota is faster than them and he is quite patient. He tends to make fewer mistakes.”
Momota raced to a 4-1 lead before Shi upped the pace with a series of quick attacks, punctuated by a 348 km/h winner that tied the score at 6-6.
Too many mistakes, however, proved world No 3 Shi’s downfall as seventh-ranked Momota reeled off eight consecutive points to ultimately take the first game 21-11.
Momota’s dominance continued as he claimed the second 21-13 to wrap up victory in 49 minutes.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Carolina Marin became the first three-time female singles champion after storming to a 21-19, 21-10 win over Indian third seed PV Sindhu in a rematch of the 2016 Rio Olympics final, which Marin also won.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I’ve been preparing for this moment since long ago,” said the world No 8.
Sindhu came up short in her second consecutive attempt to become the first Indian world champion.