Tokyo: The competition at the All Japan Badminton Championships remains fierce, with both former and current top men’s singles players in the Japanese squad, Kento Momota, and Kodai Naraoka, securing spots in the semifinals. An exciting showdown between these two top players is set for Friday.
Kento Momota, currently ranked 38th globally and 6th among Japan’s men’s singles players, is vying for his sixth All-Japan title. He convincingly defeated Yusuke Tanaka in the quarterfinals with scores of 21-17, 21-17, needing just two more victories to claim his 6th crown.
Highlights of Kento Momota vs. Yusuke Tanaka at 2023 All-Japan Badminton Championships quarter-finals:
Facing the current world No. 2 Kodai Naraoka for the first time, Momota acknowledges Naraoka’s solid defense and hopes to remain patient, finding opportunities to break through and score points.
On the other hand, Kodai Naraoka defeated Koo Takahashi 21-17, 21-18 in the quarterfinals.
Highlights of Kodai Naraoka vs. Koo Takahashi at 2023 All-Japan Badminton Championships quarter-finals:
The emerging badminton star, Naraoka, who won silver at this season’s World Championships, expresses pride in being considered the new face of Japanese men’s singles and vows not to disappoint expectations. Regarding the clash with Momota, he simply states, “I don’t want to lose.”
In the women’s singles category, due to the absence of last year’s women’s singles champion, Akane Yamaguchi, former world champion Nozomi Okuhara, currently in good form, becomes a strong contender for the title. Okuhara dominated the quarterfinals with a 21-16, 21-16 victory over the 20-year-old Manami Suizu, earning her a spot in the semifinals.
With a successful history at the All Japan Championships, including victories in 2011, 2015, and a remarkable three consecutive titles from 2019 to 2021, Okuhara is determined to pursue her sixth championship this year.
Nozomi Okuhara, currently ranked world No. 26, is set to face world No. 15 Aya Ohori on Friday in a fierce battle for a spot in the finals. Ohori fought hard in the quarterfinals, overcoming her opponents with scores of 21-16, 15-21, 21-13.
