Leong Jun Hao Spoils Former World No.1 Kento Momota's Beautiful Ending at Thomas Cup 2024
Trang Napie
Sun May 05 2024
An exciting outcome took place at the Thomas Cup 2024 held in Chengdu, China from April 27 to May 5. Malaysian badminton team showcased their strength in the early matches but faced challenges in the second and third singles games. Nevertheless, Leong Jun Hao's remarkable victory over a higher-ranked opponent shifted the momentum in Malaysia's favor.
Leong Jun Hao's strategic approach and mental preparation proved vital in his swift triumph against his opponent with a score of 21-13, 21-10. The Malaysian player highlighted the significance of treating every match as if it were his last, emphasizing the importance of fighting for each point and maintaining control over the game. His confidence stemmed from Malaysia's early successes, notably Lee Zii Jia's dominant win over Kenta Nishimoto.
Despite a close defeat in the men's doubles, Malaysia nearly clinched victory as Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin staged a remarkable comeback in a thrilling three-game match. The unexpected turn of events set the stage for the highly anticipated face-off between Kento Momota and Justin Hoh. However, Leong Jun Hao's decisive win disrupted Momota's farewell campaign, as the former world number one aimed to conclude his national team journey with a championship win.
Leong Jun Hao's exceptional performance and tactical brilliance not only secured a crucial victory for Malaysia but also thwarted Kento Momota's hopes of a fairy-tale ending at Thomas Cup 2024. The unexpected turn of events added a captivating twist to the tournament, showcasing the unpredictable nature of badminton competition at the highest level.