Momota has his eyes on the title

KENTO Momota makes his first return to the World Championships in three years hoping to win his career’s first major individual title.

The 24-year-old is also eyeing to create history as the first Japanese to be crowned the men’s singles world champion.

Momota kicked off his title assault by defeating Ukraine’s Artem Pochtarov 21-13, 21-12 in the first round yesterday.

“The first match was not tough. I’m in good shape. I hope I can win all the matches ... I want to win (the title),” said Momota.

Momota, the world No. 7, is making his only third appearance at the world meet. His debut in Copenhagen in 2014 ended up with a firstround exit but bounced back strongly the following year by claiming bronze in Jakarta.

In 2016, Momota was at the peak of his career having reached a career-best second in the world ranking, but his progress was curtailed by a 15-month ban slapped by the Japan Badminton Association.

He missed his first best chance for a major crown at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Momota made his comeback in July last year but he was not ranked high enough to qualify for the Glasgow world meet.

But he’s back again now, together with the form he used to boast, before the ban. His victories at the Asian Championships in April and the Indonesian Open last month has made him the man to beat this week.

Momota’s path could not be clearer now following the late withdrawal of Lee Chong Wei and Son Wan-ho of South Korea, arguably his two biggest opponents in the bottom half of the draw. But insist Momota: “My biggest opponent is only myself.

“With Lee Chong Wei and SonWan-ho not here this time, I know all eyes will be on me in the bottom half of the draw. But instead of worrying about the attention I’ll be getting, I’m really motivated and hope to make the most of it (in the absence of his big rivals).”