Momota stuns Chen for Asian badminton title

Shanghai: Japan’s Kento Momota shocked Olympic gold medallist Chen Long to be crowned badminton’s Asian champion in a stunning upset on Sunday.

The world No. 17 had never previously won a game against Chen, but he floored the strong Chinese favourite 21-17, 21-13 at the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan. Momota, a compact left-hander, had Chen firmly on the back foot as he reeled off seven straight points to clinch the title in one hour when the world number three netted.

The 23-year-old’s breakthrough follows a steady rise up the rankings, and comes after four previous defeats to Chen, a two-time world champion.