‘Momota is world class’
Chong Wei says Japan’s Kento Momota is still a world class shuttler despite his long absence from the sport.
Yesterday, Chong Wei fell short in his bid to win a third Asia Championships crown when the 23-year-old Japanese notched a 21-19, 21-14 win over the Malaysian in the semi-finals in Wuhan.
The defeat was Chong Wei’s first to Momota, since he returned to competitive action last year following a suspension by the Japan BA for illegal betting.
Chong Wei said: “I should have won the first game. I was leading 19-16, but I squandered my chance. That is ok, sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose.
“Having said that, take nothing away from Momota. He is definitely a world class player.
“If he can come back from a long absence and still play at the highest level, then he is no pushover.
“Like I have mentioned before, times have changed and my biggest challenge now, is going up against younger players like Momota.
“Now that my job is done here, I will return home to start preparing for the Thomas Cup,” said Chong Wei, who won the Asian title in 2006 and 2016.
Momota, who was ranked as high as No 2 before being slapped with the ban, will take on reigning Olympic champion Chen Long of China in the final today.
Chen Long, who last won the title in 2015, made easy work of India’s H.S. Prannoy in the other semi-final tie, chalking up a convincing 21-16, 21-18 win.