Dubai: Japan’s Thomas Cup hero Kenichi Tago is slowly transforming his game as he bids to find a place among the world’s best badminton players.
Tago was an integral part of his country’s maiden triumph in New Delhi in May this year, when the 25th anniversary of the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup — the premier team championships for men and women respectively — were held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in the Indian capital.
The final featured two teams that were not expected to make it there, as Japan faced Malaysia and won 3-2 to notch their maiden triumph in this tournament.
Though Tago lost his first singles match against the now-suspended Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, Japan did enough to pick up the title with wins in the next two singles and the doubles.
“Being at the top of the game doesn’t mean only beating players from China,” Tago told media here following his first win — when Korean opponent Son Wan-ho retired with injury — at the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Thursday.
On the opening day, Tago had gone toe-to-toe with world champion Chen Long from China, before losing 11-21, 14-21.
“The men’s game is getting better all around the world. It is no longer just the Chinese. There are good players coming up in other countries as well.
“I am not focusing on how to beat only the Chinese players. In fact I am out to work out my own style by trying to mix and blend my game between the old and some new elements so that I can catch my opponents off guard and bring in consistency with my results.
“Badminton is an individual sport and a lot depends on the confidence level. So besides the confidence there is nothing that I got from being part of the winning team [at the Thomas Cup].”
The 24-year-old resident of Saitama made an impressive entry to the world stage by reaching the final of the All England Open in 2010. But he succumbed to Lee in two close sets, with an incorrect line-call at match-point going in favour of the Malaysian.
