Shuttler Kento Momota involved in accident hours after winning Malaysia Masters

World’s number one badminton player, Japan’s Kento Momota was injured in a car accident on Monday. His driver died in the incident in Kuala Lumpur. The 25-year-old Momota was visiting the airport just hours after winning the Malaysia Masters. On the way, his vehicle was hit from behind by a lorry.

Defending world champion Momota defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the Malaysia Masters final on Sunday. He won the match, which lasted 54 minutes, 24-22 21-11. Momota defeated India’s P. Kashyap in the first round of the tournament and HS Prannoy in the second round.

Apart from Momota and the driver, there were three other people in the van

At the time of the accident, the van was accompanied by Hawkeye system operator William Thomas from the UK, Assistant Coach Hirayama Yu from Japan and physiologist Morimoto Arkifuki. All were taken to a nearby hospital for examination and treatment. This was informed by Norajam Khamis, a senior officer of the fire and rescue department.

The condition of the four is stable: Sports Minister of Malaysia

Malaysia’s youth and sports minister Syed Saddik said after visiting the hospital that the injured are undergoing treatment. The condition of all four is stable. At the same time, Malaysia Badminton Association general secretary Kenny Goh Chi Keong said that Momata and his team were returning to Tokyo. He had withdrawn his name from the Indonesian Masters.