PETALING JAYA: Singles hotshot Kento Momota has failed to advance to the knockout stage as Japan suffered the biggest shock of the day in badminton. Top seed and gold-medal hope Momota was humbled 15-21, 19-21 by unseeded 25-year-old Heo Kwang-hee of South Korea in the final Group A match on Wednesday. Only the group champion advance to the last 16 elimination round. The world No. 1 and two-time world champion Momota was Japan's best hope for the country's first gold medal in the men's singles but he fell under the pressure of delivering at home.

Source: The Star July 28, 2021 13:30 UTC