Lefty Momota shows all the right stuff for Japan

ALOR SETAR: Kento Momota (pic) has made his long anticipated return to the Japan national team with aplomb.

The explosive left-hander has not played for Japan since his one-year suspension in 2016 for a gambling offence.

And the 23-year-old showed what Japan missed as he helped the team to a commanding 5-0 win over Kazazkhstan in a Group B tie of the Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar.

The world No. 49 was pure class as he thrashed Khaitmurat Kulmatov 21-7, 21-4 in the third singles tie in just 20 minutes at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium yesterday.

Japan’s other points were won by Kenta Nishimoto, Kanta Tsuneyama (singles), Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi and Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (men’s doubles).

The Kagawa native, who marked his return from suspension by winning five titles last year, was pleased to be back.

“It’s good to be back in the national team for a team tournament. I’m happy to be representing the country again,” said Momota, whose last team event was the Sudirman Cup in 2015.

“It’s still a long way for me but I’m looking to keep working hard towards my goal to play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

Japan head coach Park Joo-bong admitted that Momota’s return, together with the current form of Japan No. 1 Kazumasa Sakai and Kenta Nishimoto, has certainly strengthened the team.

World No. 16 Sakai was runner-up at the Indonesian Masters last month while Nishimoto fell short in three games to world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the Malaysian Masters final last month.

“It’s good to have Momota back. It definitely strengthens the singles department.

“What happened in the past, is the past. He has learned his lesson and he knows what he

did was wrong.

“Now he is just focused on looking forward and doing his best for the team.

“Although he has only been back in the team since January, his level has not dropped.

“But it’s too early to tell if that is good for us because he is only ranked No. 4 behind Sakai, Nishimoto and (Kanta) Tsuneyama.

“Right now we need to work on pushing him up the rankings,” said Joo-bong.

In other results, South Korea thumped Nepal 5-0 in another Group B match while Hong Kong whipped Singapore 5-0 in Group A.