Momota gambles away Rio spot
Print Edition
OLYMPIC medal hope Kento Momota has been kicked off Japan’s badminton team for the Olympics this summer for gambling at an illegal casino, officials said yesterday.
The Nippon Badminton Association threw the book at the 21-year-old world No. 2, banning him from competition indefinitely, after an emergency meeting to decide the player’s fate.
Teammate Kenichi Tago, also found guilty of placing illegal bets, was removed from the organization’s official player list for an indefinite period.
Momota became the first Japanese man to win a world championship medal with a bronze in Jakarta last August and had been tipped to challenge for gold in Rio.
The controversy caused a stir last week, with Japanese badminton chief Kinji Zeniya breaking down in tears on television before resolving to deal harshly with the offenders. Government ministers were also quick to condemn the players.
“It is important to take a resolute stance against players guilty of illegal acts,” Zeniya told reporters, while leaving the door open to a possible Olympic return for Momota at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
“The possibility (of competing at the Tokyo Olympics) is not zero. We want them to fully understand the seriousness of the situation.”
Momota dyed his highlighted hair black as an act of contrition as he appeared in front of the cameras to apologize. He admitted visiting a casino six times and gambling away 500,000 yen (around US$4,500). Tago, a six-time Japanese champion, spent almost US$100,000.
In Kuala Lumpur, Lee Chong Wei won his 11th Malaysian Open title yesterday, a much-needed boost for his pursuit of a still-elusive Olympic gold medal.
Lee, 33, cruised to victory with a flurry of devastating smashes against world No. 1 Chen Long of China, beating him 21-13, 21-8 in a match that lasted 42 minutes.
The world No. 4 was in fine form for the Malaysian competition after suffering early exits at the All England Championships and India Open in March.
“Many critics have said that I should retire after some poor performances. But I know within myself that I am capable of still producing the goods at the highest level and this win was the proof of that,” Lee said. “I am happy to win another title here and this triumph certainly boosts my spirits ahead of the Olympics.”
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