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Back injury forces Momota out of Lin Dan Cup
Back injury forces Momota out of Lin Dan Cup

The Star

time13-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Star

Back injury forces Momota out of Lin Dan Cup

PETALING JAYA: Badminton fans' hopes of seeing former world No. 1 men's singles star Kento Momota in action again was dashed after he was forced to withdraw from the Lin Dan Cup. The Japanese ace was due to play in the tournament from July 25-27 in Xian, China but unfortunately had to pull out due to a back surgery, after being diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation, his management agency announced. Chinese great Lin Dan, who founded the tournament which offers a lucrative total prize purse of 850,000 yuan (approximately RM500,000), delivered the news via his social media page. "Momota had to withdraw from the Lin Dan Cup due to illness," said Lin Dan. "I hope he can fully recover and return to court as soon as possible. I hope he can still come to Xian to meet the fans." Momota's absence from the tourney is a blow as he was once one of most successful players in the world. The 30-year-old remarkably won 11 titles in 2019 and suffered just six defeats out of 73 matches that year. Momota also captured back-to-back world titles in 2018 (Nanjing) and 2019 (Basel). However, his career took a downturn after a car accident in 2020 following his Malaysian Masters victory, which severely affected his performance. Momota eventually made the difficult decision to retire in April last year. In his absence, the foreign players due to compete in the tournament include Thailand's 2019 World Championship bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen, South Korea's Cho Geon-yeop, Ireland's Nhat Nguyen and Japan's Riki Takei. Malaysia will also be represented by Tan Jia Jie and Cheam June Wei.

Back to rule again
Back to rule again

The Star

time01-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Star

Back to rule again

Denmark men's singles shuttler Viktor Axelsen in action against China's Lu Guangzu during the semi-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Beware of wounded tiger Viktor Axelsen! Expect the Danish men singles shuttler to come roaring back in the second half of the year with his eyes set on the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris after an injury-disrupted year so far. The two-time former world champion has been sidelined since April due to a back issue and underwent surgery but has returned to training and is set to make a strong comeback in the world meet. And this should serve as a warning for the others, who have had one less strong hurdle to deal with in the last few tournaments. Former great Datuk Rashid Sidek said the return of Axelsen will make the men's singles interesting again. 'We need a strong calibre player like Viktor to add spice in the men's singles contest. His return bring back the excitement,' said Rashid. 'The Dane has set the standard very high and if his back to his best form (after the injury), we can expect good matches in upcoming tournaments, especially at this year's world meet.' Axelsen will be out to become only the second men's singles player after Chinese legend Lin Dan to capture the world title more than twice after his previous victories in 2017 and 2022. Lin Dan won the crown a record five times in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Before his injury troubles, Axelsen won the Indian Open and German Open titles and will be keen to get back to his best form in his bid to chase Lin Dan's record. The Dane will also be spurred on by sweet memories as the prestigious meet this time will be held at Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle which is the same venue as the Paris Olympics last August where Axelsen memorably won his second consecutive gold in the showpiece event. Among the other contenders for the men's singles title in the world meet are Thailand's world No. 1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, China's world No. 3 Shi Yuqi and Axelsen's teammate Anders Antonsen. In the last edition in 2023, Kunlavut created history by becoming the first Thai shuttler to win the men's singles crown after beating Japan's Kodai Naraoka. Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia is also expected to return in the second half of the year but it's unsure whether he would be able to keep up with the pace after being out for a long time this year. The draw will be released on Aug 12.

Malaysia Masters 2025: Shi Feng Makes History As First Chinese Men's Singles Champion
Malaysia Masters 2025: Shi Feng Makes History As First Chinese Men's Singles Champion

Barnama

time25-05-2025

  • Sport
  • Barnama

Malaysia Masters 2025: Shi Feng Makes History As First Chinese Men's Singles Champion

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Not even the legendary Lin Dan achieved it but Li Shi Feng had etched his name in the history by becoming the first Chinese men's singles shuttler to win the Malaysia Masters by clinching the title at the 2025 edition held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, today. The 25-year-old claimed the victory after outplaying unseeded Indian shuttler Srikanth Kidambi in straight sets, 21-11, 21-9 in just 36 minutes. 'I didn't expect to be the first at this event because I hadn't really paid attention to who won it before, but maybe recently I have paid some attention, but I think it's a very good start. So, being able to win deserves a celebration. 'Because in previous interviews, I mentioned that every year I reach the semi-finals and this time to break through and win the championship, I feel it's an affirmation and encouragement for myself,' he told reporters here today. The world No. 4 will now shift his focus to the Singapore Open 2025 which begins this Tuesday (June 27) where he is set to face Japan's Koki Watanabe in the first round. For the record, Lin Dan only made it to the first round at the Malaysia Masters in both 2018 and 2020. Meanwhile, top seed Wang Zhi Yi of China lived up to her billing as the top seed as she came from behind to defend women's singles title for two years in a row, beating her compatriot and second seed Han Yue, 13-21, 21-13, 21-18, in 75-minute duel. The world No. 2 Zhi Yi was delighted at retaining the Malaysia Masters title in her happy hunting ground, saying the victory has inspired her to continue competing in this country. In mixed doubles action, second seeds from China Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping took 63 minutes to stun top seed and teammates Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin 21-17, 14-21, 21-16, to claim their back-to-back titles after winning the Thailand Open 2025 last week.

Shi Feng aims to smash aside the shadows of Super Dan [WATCH]
Shi Feng aims to smash aside the shadows of Super Dan [WATCH]

New Straits Times

time23-05-2025

  • Sport
  • New Straits Times

Shi Feng aims to smash aside the shadows of Super Dan [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Li Shi Feng was heralded as China's successor to the legendary Lin Dan following his meteoric rise in 2023 where he won the Asian Games gold and All England crown. But since then his play hasn't been as super as Super Dan; he only managed to win the Kumamoto Masters in Japan last November. Now, the world No. 4 is more focused on making himself a complete player than the Lin Dan comparison. This more pragmatic approach has led to better results this year as Shi Feng reached the semi-finals in four out of seven World Tour events this year, including the ongoing Malaysia Masters. Shi Feng defeated Hong Kong's world No. 21 Angus Ng 21-13, 21-15 in the quarter-finals at the Axiata Arena today. Shi Feng said he doesn't want to dwell on his past glories, but continue to become a better player. "It's normal for athletes to have good or bad results and I had it good in 2023. I won the Asian Games and the National Games. Compared to 2023, my performance in 2024 was not as good, but it's a process. "In fact, 2024 was a year of growth and I think it is more about evolving myself. I want to focus on becoming a strong player and I don't look back to the past." Shi Feng's win over Angus was significant as the Hong Konger had come into the match with a 4-0 head-to-head record. "He is an experienced player and although I had lost in all four previous matches, I was well prepared today," added Shi Feng. Asked if he is ready to win his first title of the year this weekend, Shi Feng said he would give it a try. "I haven't thought about that (winning the title) but I have to focus on my next match and will do my best," said Shi Feng who will play Japan's world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka — who ousted China's world No. 14 Weng Hong Yang 21-12, 21-19 — in the last four. Shi Feng has a favourable 5-3 record against Kodai, and had also beaten the Japanese in their last four meetings.

Negri's Fu Sheng hopes to add spice in his game like Lin Dan
Negri's Fu Sheng hopes to add spice in his game like Lin Dan

The Star

time24-04-2025

  • Sport
  • The Star

Negri's Fu Sheng hopes to add spice in his game like Lin Dan

Out to go one step better: Ayu Fu Sheng in action during the Under 18 Championship in CHIN/The Star IPOH: Young singles shuttler Ayu Fu Sheng dreams of playing fast and furious badminton at the top level just like idol Lin Dan Two-time Olympic Games champion Lin Dan was renowned for his speed and killer instinct on court and Fu Sheng is inspired by the Chinese great and hopes to emulate him. The 17-year-old from Negri Sembilan started watching Lin Dan's matches when he joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) nearly five years ago and has admired the two-time Olympic champion since. "Lin Dan is my idol. I started watching him play since I joined BAM almost five years ago," said Fu Sheng, who us currently competing in the National Under-18 championships. "He was so fast and powerful. His great attacking play and fitness helped him win the Olympics twice. I hope to play like him in the future. "My game now is more towards defending and counter-attacking but I want to be more aggressive like Lin Dan." Fu Sheng started playing badminton when he was seven after his father Ayu Jen Hong, who runs an academy in Negri Sembilan, encouraged him to take up the sport. Currently, Fu Sheng is out to capture the National Under-18 title for the first time after finishing runners-up to fellow BAM player Razeeq Danial Roslie last year. The teen believes that he has a good chance to grab the crown this time due to the 15-point system used in the tourney. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is using the Under-18 meet as a testing ground for the new scoring format which could possibly replace the existing 21-point system next year. Fu Sheng is out to use the new format to his advantage. "Once I reached the final last year, I was too tired and ended up losing," said Fu Sheng. "This time, it will not be the case as there's only 15 points played in matches. I believe this will be beneficial for me as the matches will be faster. "In this format, I need to attack more and make fewer mistakes. I hope to take advantage and win the title. "It will not be easy though as I will likely face Razeeq in the last eight. I need to do better against him this time," added Fu Sheng. On Thursday (April 24), Fu Sheng cruised into the fourth round with a commanding 15-3, 15-12 win over Melaka's Jared Tan at the Academy Badminton Perak in Ipoh. He will play either Pahang's Marcus Hang or Penang's Jay Heng next for a place in the fifth round.

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