JAPAN: Japanese Badminton player Kento Momota has flown back home following a deadly road accident in Malaysia two days earlier that had killed the driver and severely injured the world number one.
The 25-year-old had suffered facial injuries and bruises all over his body and was treated at a Malaysian hospital for two days following the unfortunate incident that also left several other members of his entourage badly wounded.
Momota was in Malaysia for Kuala Lumpur Open 2020 where he registered his first victory of the season over Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and the accident occurred just hours after that.
The fatal crash not only ousted Momota from Kuala Lumpur Open but has also clouded his chances of participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics set to begin in July this year.
Japan who will be hosting the Olympics has much hopes of leading the medals table assisted by an in-form Momota looking to win gold and complete a full set of major titles.
A spokesperson for Japan’s Badminton Association said that Momota will be aiming to return to the court at the England Championship in March provided that he fully recovers.
The current world number one had a spectacular winning streak in 2019 winning a record total of 11 titles including World Championship, Asia Championship and All England Championship, a remarkable feat for someone who had been banned in 2016 on gambling charges.
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