Nicolas Anil
Fri Dec 20 2019
Malaysian fans have every reason to be excited next year, as world number one Kento Momota will be in Kuala Lumpur to claim his first title of 2020 at the Malaysia Masters.
Taking place from January 7 to 12, the Super 500 tournament will be the first tournament on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar, and all the world class names have confirmed their entry as they aim to begin the Olympic year on the right foot.
While the local shuttlers will get plenty of support, all eyes are certain to be on Momota, who is singlehandedly dominating the men’s singles.
It was in Malaysia three years ago where Momota received a suspension for gambling, and swiftly pulled out of the 2016 Malaysia Open despite winning his opening game.
The Japanese returned home to shame and ridicule, and was banned for over a year.
The Japan Badminton Association no tolerance approach towards gambling also meant Momota missed the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janerio.
But Momota has more than made up for lost time, and 2019 turned out to be his most successful year with 11 titles amassed.
Momota's feat meant he becomes the only male shuttler to win the most titles in a badminton season, surpassing Lee Chong Wei who clinched 10 titles in 2010.
Having lost just six times in 73 matches in 2019, the 25-year-old will be the man to dethrone.
He will face India’s P.Kashyap in the first round, and could face either Chinese great Lin Dan or his recent nemesis Anthony Ginting of Indonesia in the quarterfinals.
The southpaw came from a game down to beat Ginting 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 to win the season finale World Tour Finals last week.
Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia meanwhile faces a tough test in the opening round as he will take on Denmark’s third seed Anders Antonsen.
The lanky shuttler is buoyed having won gold at the recent SEA Games, and with the backing of the home fans, should be able to beat the young Dane.
There are also tough draws for the Malaysians in the men’s doubles, as the winner between Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will face defending champions Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
Piala Thomas: Tien Chen pemain ketiga tewaskan Axelsen selepas Chong Wei, Momota
Pemain Taiwan, Chou Tien Chen, muncul sebagai pemain ketiga yang berjaya mengalahkan Viktor Axelsen dalam saingan kalah mati Piala Thomas selepas kali terakhir dilakukan oleh Lee Chong Wei dan Kento Momota.
Bawa nama negara jauh lebih penting, kata Kento Momota
“Membawa nama negara itu jauh lebih penting daripada meletakkan diri di hadapan.”
Terbuka Malaysia BWF: Liew Daren ganti tempat Kento Momota
Pemain Jepun, Kento Momota, tidak akan beraksi dalam Terbuka Malaysia tahun ini selepas menarik diri berikutan gejala seakan-akan influenza dan tempatnya akan diambil oleh pemain profesional negara, Liew Daren, daripada senarai simpanan.
Zii Jia teruja berentap dengan Momota
Perseorangan negara, Lee Zii Jia, teruja untuk berentap dengan nombor satu dunia, Kento Momota, apabila Malaysia bakal mencongak perhitungan dengan Jepun dalam aksi Piala Sudirman dan Piala Thomas yang bermula bulan depan.
Terbuka Thailand: Momota positif COVID-19, Jepun tarik diri
Kento Momota tidak akan bertanding dalam dua kejohanan Terbuka Thailand bulan ini selepas pemain nombor satu dunia itu diuji positif COVID-19.
Terbuka Denmark: Juara bertahan Momota tarik diri
Penganjuran Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Dermark minggu depan menerima tamparan hebat apabila juara bertahan dua kali, Kento Momota, bersama 14 lagi pemain Jepun memilih untuk menarik diri daripada kejohanan itu berikutan kebimbangan penularan COVID-19 yang semakin meningkat di Eropah.
Momota cipta demam badminton di Jepun, tawar kelas percuma
Pemain badminton nombor satu dunia dari Jepun, Kento Momota, mencipta demam badminton besar-besaran di negara asalnya apabila menawarkan kelas percuma buat sesiapa yang berminat dengan sukan itu.
Covid-19: Momota kecewa dengan penundaan Sukan Olimpik Tokyo
Kento Momota mengakui bahawa dia kecewa dengan penundaan Sukan Olimpik Tokyo 2020 berikutan pandemik koronavirus selepas dia bangkit daripada kemalangan jalan raya di Malaysia awal tahun ini.
Momota akui fikirkan persaraan selepas kemalangan di Malaysia
Kento Momota mengakui bahawa dia sudah mula memikirkan mengenai persaraannya daripada sukan badminton selepas terlibat dalam satu kemalangan jalan raya di Malaysia awal tahun ini.
Ronaldo delivers another hat-trick as Al Nassr ease past Al Wedha
Al Nassr had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for Saturday's thrashing of Al Wedha, in which Sadio Mane also impressed.
Burnley boss Kompany demands never-say-die attitude as Premier League relegation looms
Burnley were hammered by Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest's win over Sheffield United left the Clarets nearing danger.
Girona 4-2 Barcelona: Hosts secure Champions League football while ending Blaugrana's title hopes
Report: Girona 4-2 Barcelona
Real Madrid's LaLiga joy must be 'contained' ahead of Bayern meeting
Madrid's joy 'contained'
Haaland 'back to business' as Guardiola lauds four-goal Man City star in Wolves win
Pep: Haaland 'back to business'
IPL: Du Plessis shines as RCB revival continues against Titans
IPL: Du Plessis shines for RCB
Real Madrid clinch LaLiga title after Barcelona lose to Girona
Real Madrid win LaLiga
Manchester City 5-1 Wolves: Haaland scores four as rampant Citizens respond to Arsenal win
Report: Man City 5-1 Wolves
Sinner joins Alcaraz in withdrawing from Italian Open
Sinner out of home tournament
Verstappen clinches sprint victory at Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton hit with penalty
Verstappen charges to sprint win