Tokyo: The men’s singles semi-finals at the All Japan Badminton Championships were expected to witness a showdown between the former and current Japanese top men’s singles players, Kento Momota and Kodai Naraoka. However, Kodai Naraoka had to withdraw due to health issues, allowing Kento Momota to advance to the finals effortlessly.
The matchup between Kento Momota and Kodai Naraoka had garnered significant attention before the match, being dubbed the first-ever face-off between the past and present aces of Japanese men’s badminton. Unfortunately, the current world No. 2 Kodai Naraoka, opted to withdraw from the competition due to health concerns. When the announcement of Naraoka’s withdrawal echoed through the venue, many spectators expressed disappointment, considering the missed opportunity for an epic clash.
Last year’s champion and five-time titleholder, the current world No. 38 Kento Momota, smoothly progressed to the finals without a fight. In the upcoming final, he will face the world No. 23 Koki Watanabe in the final. Watanabe beat Shogo Ogawa when when Ogawa retired from the match after losing the first game 18-21, and trailing 2-7 in the second game.
Momota, who won back-to-back world championships in 2018 and 2019, became the first Japanese men’s singles player to be ranked number one in the world rankings, a position he held for three years and two months. After losing in the first round at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he has suffered from lower back pain this year, and is currently ranked 38th, the sixth highest among Japanese athletes.
In the women’s singles category, the absence of defending champion Akane Yamaguchi has opened the door for former world champion Nozomi Okuhara.
In the semifinals, she faced off against world No. 15 Aya Ohori, in an intense battle that lasted for 75 minutes, spanning three thrilling sets 21-16, 20-22, 21-13. Okuhara’s superior skills allowed her to emerge victorious, securing her spot in the finals. Tomorrow, she will compete against Kaoru Sugiyama for women’s singles title.
Highlights of Nozomi Okuhara vs. Aya Ohori in the 2023 All Japan Badminton Championships semi-finals:
In a post-match interview, Nozomi Okuhara expressed her enjoyment of the high-level competition in the semi-finals.
“Although it was a tough game, I worked hard to take control of the match and showcased my playing style. It feels like my game is back.”
Okuhara also mentioned that winning the championship tomorrow would boost her confidence in vying for a spot in the Paris Olympics next season. With a successful history in the All Japan Badminton Championships, including victories in 2011, 2015, and an impressive three-peat from 2019 to 2021, Okuhara aims to clinch her sixth title in the competition on Sunday.
