BWF Korea Masters 2023: Former world no. 1 Momota Kento reaches last eight
The Japanese, now ranked in the 50s in the world, is through to the quarter-finals at the BWF Super 300 tournament in Gwangju.
Badminton
Former badminton world number one Momota Kento has reached just his second quarter-final of the season after securing a win at the BWF Korea Masters Super 300 event on Thursday (9 November).
Momota, who has struggled with injury and confidence issues since being involved in a car wreck in January 2020, beat Germany's Kai Schaefer 21-17 21-16 in 48 minutes in their round of 16 clash in Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
The Japanese was ranked in the top 10 as recently as December of last year, but a lack of tournaments and good results – this is just Momota's 11th ranking competition all season – have contributed to his fall down the rankings.
Indeed, this marks only the second time Momota has made it past the round of 16 this year, after reaching the semi-finals at the German Open in March.
Momota, now ranked the sixth-best Japanese shuttler in the world at number 52, will face Malaysia's Soong Joo Ven in Friday's last eight.
The Korea Masters is available to watch live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions may apply).