Fully fit after eye socket op, Momota sets sights on gold
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Kento Momota was hurt in a January car crash in Malaysia.
PHOTO: KYODO NEWS
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TOKYO • Japanese badminton star Kento Momota said yesterday that he had recovered completely from the eye injury caused by a car accident and vowed to bring home gold at the postponed Tokyo Games.
"I can see without any problem while I'm playing," the world No. 1, who underwent surgery for an eye socket fracture in February after the car crash, said. "I've been able to give 100 per cent in practice."
The accident happened hours after the 25-year-old won January's Malaysian Masters. The player suffered cuts and heavy bruising and was left with double vision after the vehicle that was taking him to Kuala Lumpur International Airport collided with a lorry. The driver died at the scene.
"I want to do my best every day towards the goal of winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics," added Momota.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by one year.
The Games are now scheduled to begin on July 23, 2021 - though they will still be known as the 2020 Games - but medical experts have raised concerns the delay is not long enough to contain the virus and hold the event safely.
The delay gave Momota, who missed the 2016 Rio Olympics after he was suspended for visiting an illegal casino, valuable time for his recovery process but he admitted he was "upset" by the postponement.
"I only had six months after the surgery. I had no time to relax. I was trying to give my all every day (in training)," he said.
"So it was difficult to process the feeling that I still had to do more."
Nevertheless, he said he has been training hard to stay positive and focus on victory at the Games.
The accident and the postponement of the Games "could not be helped", he said.
"I don't want to make excuses, saying I cannot do well because this or that happened."
The Covid-19 crisis did affect his training but he said he took the time to analyse his game and work on some weak points.
"I think I can improve my technique. I want to brush up my attacking skills," he added.
In March, Momota said his "spirit was almost broken" after the accident and that the recovery process had been difficult.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
