- Kento Momota (JPN) has become World Champion just over a year after returning from a 15-month layoff from competitive badminton.
- Spain’s Carolina Marin became the first player to win three Women’s Singles titles.
After win 33 matches in the year from 36 contests, Momota is the first Japanese to win the Final in the World Championships. Kento superó a Shi Yuqi (CHN) por 21-11 y 21-13.
“I’m very happy to be the first from Japan to win the Men’s Singles title. I owe my success to my predecessors and many other people who have helped me. There was a time when I was away and I received a lot of support. Now I’m stronger than in the past. I thank all those who supported me earlier. I want to be like Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan who have had long careers. I want to enjoy my game and entertain the audience. I didn’t have expectations for the final, I played with a free mind and trusted my footwork and defence to counter his attack.”, said Momota.
In a expected final, Carolina Marin beat Pusarla V Sindhu (IND) by 21-19 and 21-10, thus winning her third world title (2014, 2015 and 2018).
“I cannot describe my emotions right now. I have many emotions right now, I have been preparing for this moment for a long time. It’s been really special to be the first player to win three World Championships. Of course, without my team it would have been impossible. I have to say thanks to all of them. This is really special because I, Carolina Marin, came back and I will fight for my next target.” declared the Spanish.
The last day of the TOTAL BWF World Championships Nanjing 2018 started with the Women’s Doubles Final Match between Matsumoto / Nagahara (JPN) and Fukushima / Hirota (CHN), being a japanese victory in 3 straight games (19-21, 21-19 and 22-20).
Chinese players won the gold in Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles. Zheng / Huang won the Mixed Doubles title in Nanjing after defeat to Wang / Huang also from China, by 21-17 and 21-19 in 49 game minutes. Li and Liu won Men’s Doubles Final against Kamura / Sonoda (JPN) by 21-12 and 21-19.
Photo credit: Badminton Photo
