Badminton world primary Kento Momota gained the All-Japan championships on Sunday to finish step one of his comeback, practically a yr after struggling critical accidents in a automotive 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 is perhaps 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,” stated Momota.
“I believe that is as a result of I am nonetheless not used to taking part in matches. Within the second and third video games, I wished to place all my feeling into it no matter approach or techniques, and I believe I willed myself to the win.
“The Thailand Open begins within the new yr and I am going to 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 damage in January when the automobile taking him to the airport after he gained 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 remaining sport solely to crumble with victory in sight.
“I used to be too cautious,” stated Momota, who additionally needed to come from a sport down within the quarter-finals. “Earlier than, my sport was about utilizing every little thing I would 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 believe my sport will begin to return now that I’ve gained this title.”
Momota is considered one of Japan’s brightest hopes for a gold medal on house soil on the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Video games subsequent yr.
The 26-year-old left-hander gained a record-breaking 11 titles final yr, and he’s assured of including extra after tasting success this week in Tokyo.
“I am 70 % relieved and 30 % completely happy,” stated Momota. “I am referred to as world primary Momota, so I really feel that I am not allowed to lose.
“It wasn’t straightforward 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 may be additionally stress, and I need to hold doing extra. If I can, I need to get again to coaching tomorrow.”
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