Momota to lead challenge in 2020 Perodua Malaysia Masters
KUALA LUMPUR: World number one men’s singles shuttler, Kento Momota will be among the top players in action at the 2020 Perodua Malaysia Masters Badminton Tournament, slated to be held at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil from Jan 7-12.
The 25-year-old Japanese who clinched 11 titles this season is the hot favourite to bag the season’s opening tournament which offers a total prize money of US$400,000 (RM1.637 million).
This follows the absence of Malaysian badminton legend, Datuk Lee Chong Wei who announced his retirement on June 13 after undergoing a nose cancer surgery in Taiwan and two-time Olympic champion, Lin Dan of China who decide to skip the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament.
In a statement issued by the organisers, Momoto said he regarded both Chong Wei and Lin Dan as among the world’s top badminton legends based on their glorious past achievements.
The Japanese ace who is making his second appearance in the tournament this season is expected to take on former Commonwealth Games winner, Kashyap Parupalli of India in the opening round.
Momota enjoyed a wonderful season last year by winning various titles, including defending the world and Asian titles, apart from winning the prestigious All-England championship which saw him named as Badminton World Federation (BWF) Player of The Year.
Other top players appearing in the tournament are world number two, Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, world number three, Chen Long of China and two Danish players — Anders Antonsen and Viktor Axelsen who are currently world number four and five respectively.
Chong Wei had won the Malaysia Masters title five times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016, while Lin Dan had never won the tournament since its inception back in 2009.
Bernama
