KUALA LUMPUR: World No 1 shuttler Kento Momota wants to be the first Japanese Olympic champion in the men’s singles event.
The 24-year-old believes he will have a shot at it in Tokyo in 2020.
Momota’s mission for next season is to win as many tournaments as possible to maintain his World No 1 status ahead of the Olympics.
The reigning world champion does not want to take things for granted as he feels his rivals are fast catching on him.
He singled out teammate Kenta Nishimoto, who is now World No 10, as the shuttler who could spoil his party in Tokyo.
“Of course I want to win the Olympic gold medal (in Tokyo). But honestly, it will depend on how I perform during the Olympic qualifying period next season.
“If the results are good, definitely I have a good chance for a gold, if not, I am not sure,” he told reporters after the Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC) meet and greet session here today.
Momota who is playing for AJBC in the ongoing SS Purple League, believes the quality matches in the competition will help me prepare for next season’s assignments.
“This year I had great experiences playing in several big tournaments. For 2019, I hope to be in good form for competitions,” he added.
Momota did not play at the 2016 Rio Olympics as he was serving a one-year suspension, imposed by the Japan BA for illegal gambling.
Also present at the function today were 2016 Rio Olympic Games mixed doubles silver medal winner, Chan Peng Soon and world junior champion Goh Jin Wei.