TOKYO: Badminton world primary Kento Momota received the All-Japan championships on Sunday to finish step one of his comeback, almost a 12 months after struggling severe accidents in a car crash.
Momota got here from behind to beat world quantity 11 Kanta Tsuneyama 18-21, 21-12, 21-17 in Tokyo, marking a profitable return from the accident that left him fearing his profession could be over after fracturing an eye fixed socket.
The win gave Momota his third straight nationwide title, and he instantly turned his ideas in the direction of making his worldwide comeback on the Thailand Open in January.
“I had the initiative within the first sport however then I began to lose my cool as soon as I had the lead,” mentioned Momota.
“I feel that is as a result of I am nonetheless not used to enjoying matches. Within the second and third video games, I wished to place all my feeling into it no matter approach or techniques, and I feel I willed myself to the win.
“The Thailand Open begins within the new 12 months and I will have the ability to play in opposition to gamers from abroad. I need to go there and present what I can do as the highest Japanese participant.”
Momota was badly harm in January when the car taking him to the airport after he received the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driving force.
He admitted to feeling nervous as he returned to competitors this week in Tokyo, and he was pushed to the restrict by Tsuneyama, who took him to 16-16 within the last sport solely to crumble with victory in sight.
“I used to be too cautious,” mentioned Momota, who additionally needed to come from a sport down within the quarter-finals. “Earlier than, my sport was about utilizing all the pieces I might constructed up over time, and my outcomes gave me the arrogance to do this.
“This week, I hadn’t performed for a very long time so I used to be very anxious going into every match. However I feel my sport will begin to return now that I’ve received this title.”
Momota is considered one of Japan’s brightest hopes for a gold medal on dwelling soil on the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Video games subsequent 12 months.
The 26-year-old left-hander received a record-breaking 11 titles final 12 months, and he’s assured of including extra after tasting success this week in Tokyo.
“I am 70 % relieved and 30 % blissful,” mentioned Momota. “I am generally known as world primary Momota, so I really feel that I am not allowed to lose.
“It wasn’t simple for me to get the primary rating. It is due to my expertise and talent, and I actually hate to lose.
“That pleasure helps me however there’s additionally stress, and I need to preserve doing extra. If I can, I need to get again to coaching tomorrow.”
Momota got here from behind to beat world quantity 11 Kanta Tsuneyama 18-21, 21-12, 21-17 in Tokyo, marking a profitable return from the accident that left him fearing his profession could be over after fracturing an eye fixed socket.
The win gave Momota his third straight nationwide title, and he instantly turned his ideas in the direction of making his worldwide comeback on the Thailand Open in January.
“I had the initiative within the first sport however then I began to lose my cool as soon as I had the lead,” mentioned Momota.
“I feel that is as a result of I am nonetheless not used to enjoying matches. Within the second and third video games, I wished to place all my feeling into it no matter approach or techniques, and I feel I willed myself to the win.
“The Thailand Open begins within the new 12 months and I will have the ability to play in opposition to gamers from abroad. I need to go there and present what I can do as the highest Japanese participant.”
Momota was badly harm in January when the car taking him to the airport after he received the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driving force.
He admitted to feeling nervous as he returned to competitors this week in Tokyo, and he was pushed to the restrict by Tsuneyama, who took him to 16-16 within the last sport solely to crumble with victory in sight.
“I used to be too cautious,” mentioned Momota, who additionally needed to come from a sport down within the quarter-finals. “Earlier than, my sport was about utilizing all the pieces I might constructed up over time, and my outcomes gave me the arrogance to do this.
“This week, I hadn’t performed for a very long time so I used to be very anxious going into every match. However I feel my sport will begin to return now that I’ve received this title.”
Momota is considered one of Japan’s brightest hopes for a gold medal on dwelling soil on the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Video games subsequent 12 months.
The 26-year-old left-hander received a record-breaking 11 titles final 12 months, and he’s assured of including extra after tasting success this week in Tokyo.
“I am 70 % relieved and 30 % blissful,” mentioned Momota. “I am generally known as world primary Momota, so I really feel that I am not allowed to lose.
“It wasn’t simple for me to get the primary rating. It is due to my expertise and talent, and I actually hate to lose.
“That pleasure helps me however there’s additionally stress, and I need to preserve doing extra. If I can, I need to get again to coaching tomorrow.”
