Struggling Momota exits Indonesia Masters at first hurdle

Kento Momota crashed out within the first spherical of badminton’s Indonesia Masters on Wednesday, simply the most recent early exit for the two-time world champion.

Unseeded Momota, whose profession has been in freefall since a automotive crash three years in the past left him badly damage, went down 21-18, 21-7 to China’s Twenty seventh-ranked Shi Yuqi in Jakarta.

As soon as badminton’s undisputed king, Momota is now ranked nineteenth on this planet and appears a shadow of the participant that received the world championships in 2018 and 2019.

Following a poor 2022, the 28-year-old’s new season started with him withdrawing from the Malaysia Open after which crashing out of the India Open within the first spherical.

“At first, I used to be enjoying nicely. Nevertheless, in the course of the match, my opponent elevated his assaults and I used to be put beneath stress by his play right now,” Momota mentioned after defeat to Shi, in what was a repeat of the 2018 world championships closing.

On that event Momota received, however these heady days appear a very long time in the past now.

“I didn’t play as I had anticipated,” he added.

Momota is set to get again to his former place at badminton’s summit, regardless that his type continues to disappoint.

“I’m now making an attempt to get better and preserve my psychological situation, so I can’t get pressured simply,” mentioned Momota.

Momota was concerned in a automotive crash that killed his driver on the best way to the airport after profitable the Malaysia Masters in January 2020.

It left Momota with a fractured eye socket and double imaginative and prescient, together with his type dipping on his return to the courtroom.

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