Badminton mixed compound Watanabe and Higashino team confirmed the first medal in Japanese history August 23, 23:58
The badminton world championship was held in various quarter-finals, and the team of Yudai Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, who won the 3rd place in the mix doubles, won the bronze medal. This is the first Japanese medal in this event.
The Badminton World Championship in Basel, Switzerland, is a tournament that will have a major impact on the selection of representatives for the Tokyo Olympics.
Among them, Watanabe and Higashino, who are 3rd in the world at Mixed Doubles, faced 5th Malaysian Jang Pen Soon and Go Liuin.
Watanabe and Higashino dropped this game 18-21, taking 8 consecutive points in the first half of the first game, but the second game regained 21:12, showing a breathtaking combination. . The two maintained their momentum in the final third game, overwhelming their opponents without allowing the lead to the end, taking 21:11 and winning the game in a 2: 1 game count and deciding to advance to the semi-finals.
In this tournament, the bronze medal or more was decided because the 3rd place decisive match is not held. This is the first Japanese medal in this World Championship event.
Watanabe said, “In the first game, the opponent went up in the rally, but we talked and got the other person's space. Since the attack was successful, we got the advantage after the second game.”
Higashino also showed no smile about the medal and said with a smile, “I want to have a good time because I am aiming to win.”
In addition, Kento Momota, the world leader in men's singles, overwhelmed Malaysia's 13th-placed Malaysian Re-Zi Jia, and proceeded to the semi-finals with four straight games starting from the first round. Has been confirmed.
Also, in the women's singles, Kiyoshi Okuhara, who was fourth in the world, went to the semi-final by winning the third straight straight game from the first match against China's seventh-ranked Chinese player, who also won the medal.
Momoda “I was able to imagine a match”
Kento Momoda, who advanced to the semi-finals in the men's singles, looked back on the game, “Yesterday I was n’t convinced, but today I ’m well prepared and taking the lead ahead of the opponent. “I was able to play. The second half was rivaling the rally and it seemed that my feelings were cut off. I was able to play a game I envisioned,” he said.
When asked about the fact that the medals for the second consecutive tournament were confirmed, he answered calmly, "I have confirmed the medal, but I am not satisfied at all, so my feelings will not change and I will just hit my best." It was.
Okuhara "More points to reflect"
Hope Okuhara, who is aiming to win the first championship in women's singles, looked back on the game where the medal was finalized. “It was good, but it seemed to be caught up by the opponent at the end of the second game. "There are still many points to reflect on," he said, and was tightening his mind towards the semi-finals.