Badminton world number one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../world-no-1-kento-momota-closes-on-11th-title- of-the-year-268226">Kento Momota</a> arrived in Japan on Wednesday after being released from a Malaysian hospital following a car crash that killed his driver and left him with minor injuries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/badminton-world-number-one-kento-momota-injured-in-malaysian-car-crash-driver-killed-273831">Badminton world number one Kento Momota injured in Malaysian car crash, driver killed</a>

The 25-year-old Japanese, who walked past waiting journalists without making a statement, faces two months out after suffering cuts to his face and multiple bruises when the vehicle carrying him to Kuala Lumpur International Airport crashed in the early hours of Monday.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/momota_kento?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@momota_kento</a> returns home after all-clear from the hospital along with team members Morimoto Akifumi (physiotherapist) and Hirayama Yu (assistant coach). 
 
Read the full story: <a href="https://t.co/vBqb3maVA4">https://t.co/vBqb3maVA4</a> <a href="https://t.co/ePVOVHcF8R">pic.twitter.com/ePVOVHcF8R</a>
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Earlier in the day, he was discharged from hospital in Malaysia and boarded a plane wearing a dark cap and face mask.

An assistant coach, physiotherapist, and badminton official also suffered minor injuries in the highway crash, seen as a blow to Momota's preparations for this year's Tokyo Olympics where he will attempt to win gold on home soil to complete a full set of major titles.

The accident occurred just hours after he began his 2020 season in style on Sunday with victory over Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in Kuala Lumpur. Momota had been in Putrajaya public hospital outside the capital Kuala Lumpur since Monday.

He will now aim to return to action at the All England Championships on March 11, the secretary-general of Japan's Badminton Association Kinji Zeniya told AFP on Tuesday.

Momota, who won a record 11 titles last year, had "extraordinary enthusiasm towards the Olympics" this year in Tokyo, added Zeniya, but urged the gold medal favourite to take time to recuperate fully.

"I hope he will do his best without pushing and rushing himself too hard and without being impatient," said Zeniya.

The driver was killed at the scene while Momota received cuts to his face and bruising all over his body, Zeniya said, denying previous reports that he had broken his nose and chin.

Momota, currently the best player on the planet, enjoyed unrivalled success in 2019, with his title haul including the World Championship, Asia Championship and All England Championship -- a dramatic turnaround for a player who had been banned for gambling in 2016. 
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Badminton world number one Kento Momota arrived in Japan on Wednesday after being released from a Malaysian hospital following a car crash that killed his driver and left him with minor injuries.

Badminton world number one Kento Momota arrived in Japan on Wednesday after being released from a Malaysian hospital following a car crash that killed his driver and left him with minor injuries. Also read: Badminton world number one Kento Momota injured in Malaysian car crash, driver killed The 25-year-old Japanese, who walked past waiting journalists without making a statement, faces two months out after suffering cuts to his face and multiple bruises when the vehicle carrying him to Kuala Lumpur International Airport crashed in the early hours of Monday. @momota_kento returns home after all-clear from the hospital along with team members Morimoto Akifumi (physiotherapist) and Hirayama Yu (assistant coach). Read the full story: https://t.co/vBqb3maVA4 pic.twitter.com/ePVOVHcF8R — BWF (@bwfmedia) January 15, 2020 × Earlier in the day, he was discharged from hospital in Malaysia and boarded a plane wearing a dark cap and face mask. An assistant coach, physiotherapist, and badminton official also suffered minor injuries in the highway crash, seen as a blow to Momota's preparations for this year's Tokyo Olympics where he will attempt to win gold on home soil to complete a full set of major titles. The accident occurred just hours after he began his 2020 season in style on Sunday with victory over Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in Kuala Lumpur. Momota had been in Putrajaya public hospital outside the capital Kuala Lumpur since Monday. He will now aim to return to action at the All England Championships on March 11, the secretary-general of Japan's Badminton Association Kinji Zeniya told AFP on Tuesday. Momota, who won a record 11 titles last year, had "extraordinary enthusiasm towards the Olympics" this year in Tokyo, added Zeniya, but urged the gold medal favourite to take time to recuperate fully. "I hope he will do his best without pushing and rushing himself too hard and without being impatient," said Zeniya. The driver was killed at the scene while Momota received cuts to his face and bruising all over his body, Zeniya said, denying previous reports that he had broken his nose and chin. Momota, currently the best player on the planet, enjoyed unrivalled success in 2019, with his title haul including the World Championship, Asia Championship and All England Championship -- a dramatic turnaround for a player who had been banned for gambling in 2016.

Badminton: World No 1 Kento Momota arrives home after fatal car crash

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fuzhou-china-open-kento-momota-lifts-mens-title-chen-yufei-wins-womens-title-261216">Kento Momota </a>eased into the semi-finals of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals on Friday as the peerless Japanese goes after an 11th title of the year.

The world number one swatted aside Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-14, 21-14 for his third victory on the bounce in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

The 25-year-old is having a spectacular 2019, his run of tournament wins includes the world championships, and will be clear favourite against Taiwan's 19th-ranked Wang Tzu-wei.

Also into Saturday's last four is the reigning Olympic champion and home hope Chen Long, who faces Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia.

Former number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark bowed out after retiring from his match against Ginting complaining of a strained right hamstring muscle and pain in his groin.

In the women's draw, world number one Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan sealed her place in the semi-finals after defeating Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 21-9.

"I made some mistakes in my first match that I shouldn't have so I tried to reduce my errors today," said Tai, who plays Nozomi Okuhara of Japan next.

"I had a fall yesterday and was a little hurt but I recovered well for today.

"I won the Dubai season-ending tournament twice (2014 and 2016), I liked the trophy.

"I hope I can win here as well because I like this trophy too."

The other women's semi-final is between China's Chen Yufei and another Japanese, Akane Yamaguchi.

Kento Momota eased into the semi-finals of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals on Friday as the peerless Japanese goes after an 11th title of the year. The world number one swatted aside Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-14, 21-14 for his third victory on the bounce in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

Kento Momota eased into the semi-finals of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals on Friday as the peerless Japanese goes after an 11th title of the year. The world number one swatted aside Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-14, 21-14 for his third victory on the bounce in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. The 25-year-old is having a spectacular 2019, his run of tournament wins includes the world championships, and will be clear favourite against Taiwan's 19th-ranked Wang Tzu-wei. Also into Saturday's last four is the reigning Olympic champion and home hope Chen Long, who faces Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia. Former number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark bowed out after retiring from his match against Ginting complaining of a strained right hamstring muscle and pain in his groin. In the women's draw, world number one Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan sealed her place in the semi-finals after defeating Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 21-9. "I made some mistakes in my first match that I shouldn't have so I tried to reduce my errors today," said Tai, who plays Nozomi Okuhara of Japan next. "I had a fall yesterday and was a little hurt but I recovered well for today. "I won the Dubai season-ending tournament twice (2014 and 2016), I liked the trophy. "I hope I can win here as well because I like this trophy too." The other women's semi-final is between China's Chen Yufei and another Japanese, Akane Yamaguchi.

World No 1 Kento Momota closes in on 11th title of the year

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Badminton: World No 1 Kento Momota arrives home after fatal car crash

World No 1 Kento Momota closes in on 11th title of the year