KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton world No. 1 Kento Momota was on his way home to Japan today after being released from a hospital in Malaysia that treated him for injuries suffered in a vehicle collision.
A Reuters photographer saw Momota, who won the Malaysia Masters on Sunday, clearing security checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, his face covered in a white mask. His flight was due to leave at about 10am.
The world’s top-ranked men’s singles player was among four passengers in a van travelling to the airport on Monday when it crashed into the back of a 30-tonne truck, injuring them and killing the driver of the van.
Momota suffered multiple lacerations to his face and a nasal bone fracture, the Badminton World Federation said.
Momota is expected to be one of Japan’s biggest hopes for gold at this year’s Tokyo Olympics. — Reuters
