Kento Momota Shines in Asia Team Badminton Championship 2024
Conor Hudson
Tue Feb 20 2024
Former world number one, Kento Momota, made a remarkable comeback at the Asia Team Badminton Championship 2024 in Malaysia. His dominant performance against Myanmar's Min Htet Kaung helped Japan secure a convincing victory in the group stage.
Momota's victory over the relatively unknown opponent showcased his skill and determination, contributing to Japan's 5-0 win over Myanmar. The Japanese team, led by Momota, established themselves as strong contenders in Group C alongside Singapore and Thailand. Despite Singapore relying on former world champion Loh Kean Yew and Thailand missing current world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Japan's path to the top seemed clearer.
The championship saw a trend of top players being rested, with teams like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea opting to give opportunities to their emerging talents. Surprisingly, these decisions paid off, as China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea all secured dominant 5-0 wins in their respective groups.
In the women's team event, Thailand, Japan, and Indonesia asserted their dominance with clean sweeps against their opponents. Singapore's Yeo Jia Min's lone efforts were not enough to impede the strong performances of Japanese players Aya Ohori, Nozomi Okuhara, and rising star Tomoka Miyazaki.
The Asia Team Badminton Championship 2024 witnessed the resurgence of Kento Momota and highlighted the strategic use of players by various teams. As the competition progresses, it will be intriguing to see how teams navigate the balance between resting star players and fielding competitive lineups.