Wuhan
Japan’s Kento Momota shocked Olympic gold-medalist Chen Long to be crowned badminton’s Asian champion in a stunning upset on Sunday.
The world number 17 had never previously won a game against Chen, but he floored the strong Chinese favourite 21-17, 21-13 at the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan.
Momota, a compact left-hander, had Chen firmly on the back foot as he reeled off seven straight points to clinch the title in one hour when the world number three netted.
Momota clenched his fists in triumph and kissed the Japan badge on his singlet after his victory, which follows his straight-sets dismissal of Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals.
The 23-year-old’s breakthrough follows a steady rise up the rankings, and comes after four previous defeats to Chen, a two-time world champion.
Earlier, China’s Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping beat Indonesian top seeds Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir 21-17, 21-17 in the mixed doubles final.
